Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz, midfielder Gustav Svensson and defender Xavier Arreaga all started for their respective countries in international matches on Thursday.
Ruidíaz went 74 minutes in Peru’s 2-2 draw with Paraguay in the opening match of CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifying. André Carillo opened the scoring for Peru in the 52nd minute before a brace from Ángel Romero put Paraguay in front. Carillo completed a brace of his own in the 85th minute to split the points.
Ruidíaz earned his 44th cap for La Blanquirroja, who host Brazil on Oct. 13.
Svensson started and went the full 90 minutes for Sweden in a 2-1 friendly win over Russia in Moscow. Alexander Isak and Mattias Johansson each scored for the Blågult before Aleksandr Sobolev added a stoppage time consolation goal for the hosts.
Svensson earned his 29th cap for Sweden, but he will be suspended for Sweden’s first UEFA Nations League match against Croatia on Oct. 11 after he was sent off for a second yellow card against Portugal last month. Sweden then takes on Portugal again on Oct. 14.
Arreaga started and went the full 90 minutes in Ecuador’s 1-0 loss to Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Lionel Messi converted a 13th-minute penalty to give La Albiceleste all three points.
Arreaga earned his seventh cap for Ecuador, who host Uruguay on Oct. 13.
