International round-up: Richards captains USA; three Eagles score; Lacroix debuts

Club

1 Apr 2026

There were 16 senior Crystal Palace players – the third-highest total of any club in Europe's top five leagues – in international action in March. Find out how every one of them got on below.

Wednesday, 1st April

Chris Richards (United States v Portugal)

In the small hours of Wednesday morning, Palace's final international in action over the latest window was Chris Richards.

The defender returned from a minor injury the previous week to come in from the start – and captain – the United States against former European champions Portugal in Atlanta.

The defender – wearing the armband for the second time in his career – played the full 90 minutes as the USA competed well in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

They were ultimately undone, however, by efforts either side of half-time by Francisco Trincão and João Félix.

The result marked an eighth consecutive defeat for the USA against European competition.

Following this double header, USA will only have two more fixtures before beginning their World Cup campaign against Paraguay.

Tuesday, 31st March

Dean Henderson (England) v Daichi Kamada (Japan)

Two Palace players were in action on opposite sides at Wembley on Tuesday evening, as England hosted Japan.

Daichi Kamada started for the visitors in the midfield engine room, while Dean Henderson was on the bench for England.

And it was Kamada who was celebrating in the 23rd minute, when Kaoru Mitoma fired Japan into the lead.

An England side captained by Marc Guéhi did hit the crossbar through Elliot Anderson, but were unable to register a shot on target in the first-half, as Kamada helped the Japanese midfield take control.

And despite showing plenty of endeavour after the break, Thomas Tuchel’s side were unable to turn things around – Japan securing a historic first win at Wembley.

Kamada played 80 minutes before he was withdrawn, enjoying yet another victory at the National Stadium. Henderson remained an unused substitute for the Three Lions.

Brennan Johnson (Wales) v Justin Devenny (Northern Ireland)

After both lost out in their respective FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off semi-finals last week, Wales and Northern Ireland met in Cardiff for an international friendly.

With each side looking to restore some pride after their World Cup dream was ended, Palace’s Justin Devenny once again started for the visitors. Brennan Johnson was on the bench for Wales, after playing 120 minutes just five days before.

Northern Ireland started faster and Devenny was involved in the opener just 22 minutes in. The wing-back cut inside from the left and provided an accurate cross for Oxford’s Jamie Donley.

His header came back off the post, but Donley reacted quickly to poke home.

Wales showed more fight after the break and levelled quickly through Sorba Thomas.

Johnson replaced the goalscorer in the 71st minute, with the game ultimately finishing 1-1. In truth, the game was played at a low tempo and lacked quality at both ends.

But it marked the end of another window that saw both Devenny and Johnson heavily involved for their respective national sides. While they won’t be at the World Cup, both will now be targeting qualification for the European Championships in 2028, with the new UEFA Nations League season starting in September.

Evann Guessand (Scotland v Ivory Coast)

After scoring for his country in a 4-0 win over South Korea last time out, Evann Guessand was once again in the matchday squad for Ivory Coast.

This time he was on the bench as they faced Scotland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and continued to build momentum for the World Cup finals with a 1-0 win.

Former Arsenal man Nicolas Pépé bundled them in front after 12 minutes and Scotland were unable to fashion a response.

Guessand was introduced to the action in the 77th minute, replacing Elye Wahi for his 20th senior cap.

Chadi Riad (Morocco v Paraguay)

After making his first international appearance for Morocco since 6th November 2024 in their win over Ecuador on Friday, Chadi Riad was given a watching brief on Tuesday night.

He was an unused substitute as Morocco faced Paraguay. The newly crowned AFCON champions continued their excellent start to 2026, by earning a 2-1 victory over the South Americans.

Bilal El Khannouss and Neil El Aynaoui got the goals, before Gustavo Caballero got a late consolation for Paraguay.

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway v Switzerland)

After featuring on Friday, Jørgen Strand Larsen was back in action for Norway on Tuesday evening.

The World Cup qualifiers hosted Switzerland in a friendly, but defences came out on top at the Ullevaal Stadion.

Strand Larsen started on the bench but did replace Norway skipper Erling Haaland just after the hour.

Despite the Palace man looking a threat throughout and going close with a header in the 84th minute, it finished goalless.

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal v Gambia)

Starting in a front three for Senegal in Dakar, Ismaïla Sarr won his 82nd senior cap in Dakar on Tuesday night.

And although he was unable to add to his international goal tally, it proved to be another excellent night for the Lions of Teranga.

Goals from Abdoulaye Seck and Ibrahim Mbaye either side of the interval set them on their way, with Sarr providing the assist for Mbaye's goal before he was replaced just after the hour mark.

Gambia did get one back, but a third Senegalese effort in injury time from Lamine Camara wrapped up another win for Sarr’s side.

Senegal have already qualified for the World Cup finals this summer and will face France, Norway plus an additional qualifier in Group I.

Yéremy Pino (Spain v Egypt)

Fresh from a 3-0 win over Serbia, Spain were aiming to secure their second friendly victory of the March window.

But it would prove a frustrating night for La Roja and their Palace representative.

Winger Yéremy Pino started from the bench for the European Champions, as they struggled to break down the former AFCON winners.

The Palace man was eventually introduced as a 73rd minute substitute, replacing Ander Barrenetxea.

However, he was unable to unlock the stubborn Egypt defence, with the game in Cornellà de Llobregat finishing goalless.

Romain Esse (England Under-21s v Moldova Under-21s)

For England Under-21s, meanwhile, Romain Esse – currently on loan at Coventry City in the Championship – made the most of an opportunity at international level.

After Ethan Nwaneri gave England the lead, Lee Carsley’s side were surprisingly pegged back by an equaliser from Vasile Luchita in the 48th minute.

But Archie Gray and another from Nwaneri gave England control at Carrow Road. By this point Esse had come on as a second-half substitute and made his mark with eight minutes left to play.

With some clever movement at the back post, Esse broke free of the defenders to steer home his first goal for the Under-21 side.

The Young Three Lions now have 19 points at the top of Group D and already look a good bet to defend their title in the summer of 2027.

Monday, 30th March

Jaydee Canvot (France U21s v Iceland U21s)

There was just one Eagle in action on Monday evening: Jaydee Canvot once again played the full 90 minutes for France Under-21s, a vital 2-1 victory over Iceland Under-21s in Auxerre.

Going into the game two points clear at the top of Group C, at the halfway mark of Group C in U21 European Championship qualifying, Canvot and France were taking on second-placed Iceland at Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.

Canvot started the game at right-back again – making it five appearances in France's six matches so far in the campaign – and saw his side twice take the lead in the first-half, before completing the 90 minutes and clinching a 2-1 win.

France now have a five-point lead, and a game in hand, in Group C, with the five points from their remaining four games enough to secure a place at next year's finals in Albania and Serbia.

Sunday, 29th March

Maxence Lacroix (France) v Daniel Muñoz & Jefferson Lerma (Colombia)

There was plenty of Palace interest in an exciting pre-World Cup friendly between France and Colombia – 3rd against 14th in the FIFA World Rankings – at Maryland's Northwest Stadium on Sunday evening.

Fresh from making his senior debut as a second-half substitute for Les Bleus last week, Lacroix duly came in for the start for France – and came up against a Colombia team for whom both Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma were in the starting XI.

Throw in Michael Olise's late introduction for France off the bench – the former Palace attacker pictured taking on Lerma below – and it was quite the glamour match-up for Eagles fans to enjoy.

The result ultimately went Lacroix and France's way, with the Palace defender earning rave reviews for his uncompromising defending over the course of 90 minutes.

After an entertaining opening, Les Bleus took the lead on 29 minutes when Desire Doue guided home first-time, before Marcus Thuram added a second shortly before half-time.

Muñoz, Lerma and Colombia came back strongly in the early stages of the second-half, attacking with vigour – but Doue added a smart third for France with a tap-in on 56 minutes.

There was, however, a glimmer of hope on 77 minutes when Lerma spotted Jaminton Campaz on the overlap – the Palace midfielder picking up an assist for his sharp pass which was converted well by his fellow Colombian.

Both Muñoz and Lerma also went on to complete the 90 minutes against a France side who also later introduced the likes of Olise and Kylian Mbappé from the bench.

But the victory went Lacroix's way on the night, as both sets of players enjoyed a strong run-out ahead of this summer's onrushing World Cup finals.

Saturday, 28th March

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal v Peru)

Ismaïla Sarr's spectacular individual season continued with his 18th goal in 41 appearances for club and country combined, helping Senegal to a 2-0 friendly win over Peru on Saturday afternoon.

In the first international window since the Africa Cup of Nations, Sarr and Senegal showed just why many are tipping them as a team to watch at this summer's FIFA World Cup finals with two excellent goals at the Stade de France in Paris.

The first of those came via Nicolas Jackson, who placed home the first just before half-time following a storming run from Ibrahima Mbaye.

Shortly after half-time, Sarr then doubled their lead with a wonderfully composed finish at the end of a lengthy passing move, which ended with a through-ball that the Palace forward carried past two defenders and stroked home with aplomb. He ended up playing 80 minutes.

Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast v South Korea)

In his first international appearance since joining Palace, Evann Guessand was back in the Ivory Coast starting XI for the first of two friendly matches on English soil.

The first, against South Korea in Milton Keynes at Stadium MK on Saturday afternoon, saw the Asian side hit the post early on, before the Palace man opened the scoring after 35 minutes.

Guessand made a clever run and produced a cute finish beyond South Korea 'keeper Jo Hyeon-woo, rolling home the opener from the edge of the six-yard box.

Despite South Korea hitting the woodwork again before the half-time whistle, Les Elephants doubled their advantage in first-half added time through Simon Adingra, before taking control in the second period through further goals from Martial Godo and Wilfried Singo.

Daichi Kamada (Scotland v Japan)

Japan are taking on both Scotland and England in UK-based friendlies over the window, with midfielder Daichi Kamada in their squad.

The four-time Asian Cup winners first travelled to Hampden Park on Saturday evening, with Kamada beginning the game on the bench.

After both teams missed several presentable chances, and struck the woodwork, Kamada came on after 78 minutes – and, on 84 minutes, saw his team take the lead through Junya Ito's low finish at the end of a flowing move.

Chris Richards (United States v Belgium)

With only a few months left until they co-host the biggest international tournament on the planet, Mauricio Pochettino’s USA ramp up preparations with a pair of friendlies against top opposition.

Palace's Chris Richards, part of the 27-man squad, missed Saturday's 2-5 defeat to Belgium in Atlanta through injury.

Adam Wharton & Dean Henderson

It was confirmed by the FA on Saturday evening that Adam Wharton had returned to Palace from England duty with a knock picked up in the second-half of Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Dean Henderson, however, named in the initial 35-man squad, linked up with his teammates on Friday ahead of the friendly match against Japan.

Friday, 27th March

Adam Wharton (England v Uruguay)

With Thomas Tuchel naming a 35-man squad for this pre-World Cup international break, Adam Wharton came off the bench at half-time against Uruguay on Friday night to win his fifth cap for his country.

The 22-year-old put in a typically composed display at the heart of midfield, where he partnered Everton's James Garner and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo.

In a tenacious contest light on chances, England thought they were on course for victory when Ben White stabbed home from a corner in the 81st minute – Wharton involved in the set-piece move which led to the finish – only for Uruguay to win and convert a penalty deep into injury time to level the scores.

Chadi Riad (Morocco v Ecuador)

Chadi Riad's inspiring return to action took another step forwards with the defender's first international appearance for Morocco since 6th November 2024.

The 22-year-old, having returned for Palace from long-term injury – and surgery – in January, was in from the start for the Atlas Lions - under new management in Mohamed Ouahbi - in a keenly-contested friendly in Madrid.

And the Palace centre-back duly played the full 90 minutes as Morocco bounced back from going behind in the 48th minute to John Yeboah's effort by snatching a draw with an 88th-minute set-piece equaliser by Neil El Aynaoui.

Morocco had earlier won a penalty through El Aynaoui, which had been missed – with VAR subsequently ruling out the rebound for encroachment.

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Netherlands v Norway)

On Friday evening, Jørgen Strand Larsen made his first appearance for Norway since becoming Palace's club-record signing in January.

The forward won his landmark 25th cap against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, starting for a Landslaget side who qualified for the World Cup finals in style.

On Friday, he played the full 90 minutes, initially partnering a former Eagle in Alexander Sorloth up front – but despite Norway taking a first-half lead through Andreas Schjelderup, the hosts turned things around through goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijani Reijnders either side of half-time.

Yéremy Pino (Spain v Serbia)

Yéremy Pino, included in a 27-man squad for Spain’s fixtures this window, featured as a last substitute as the reigning European Champions hosted Serbia on Friday night in Villarreal.

Spain were originally set to face South American Champions Argentina in the Finalissima during this window, only for the game in Qatar to be cancelled due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

And Pino's side were already three goals to the good by the time he joined the action in the 77th minute, with no further goals after that marker.

The Palace forward scored his fourth goal for Spain back in the October window during a 2-0 win over Georgia, his first international strike since joining the Eagles.

Romain Esse (Andorra U21s v England U21s)

For England Under-21s, meanwhile, Romain Esse – currently on loan at Coventry City in the Championship – was recalled to Lee Carsley's 23-man squad for two UEFA U21 EURO qualifiers.

Having gone into the game with five wins from five in their qualifying group stage so far, the Young Lions were given an almighty scare after Gerard Sola Garcia put the hosts ahead early in the second-half.

Esse came off the bench on 71 minutes as England sought out an equaliser – and they got it in the 90th minute from the penalty spot, as Rico Lewis converted when Jobe Bellingham was felled.

England remain top of Group D with 16 points, ahead of hosting Moldova next Tuesday (31st, 19:00 GMT) at Carrow Road.

Thursday, 26th March

Maxence Lacroix (Brazil v France)

Called up for the first time by France at senior level – having previously played for his country as a youth international, most recently in October 2019 at Under-20s level – Lacroix's timely inclusion saw him thrown straight into the action by Didier Deschamps.

The Palace vice-captain began Thursday night's pre-World Cup friendly at the Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts – which pitted France, ranked third in the world by FIFA against Brazil, ranked fifth – on the bench.

But after France took a first-half lead through Kylian Mbappé, defender Dayot Upamecano saw red shortly after half-time – prompting Lacroix to emerge on 58 minutes for his senior international debut.

With Lacroix playing as the left centre-back in a back four, he saw his country – seven minutes later – go two goals to the good, as former Palace winger Michael Olise teed up Hugo Ekitike to double the lead.

Brazil did reduce the deficit on 78 minutes when Gleison Bremer found himself in the right place at the right time to turn home from close range.

But a victory over Brazil, to mark the 25-year-old's senior international debut, made it quite the night for Lacroix.

Justin Devenny (Italy v Northern Ireland)

In the European play-offs for World Cup qualification, Justin Devenny and Northern Ireland's dreams were dashed in Italy on Thursday night.

The Palace midfielder earned his 11th cap, and ninth start in the Green and White Army's last 10 matches, as Northern Ireland looked to take a step closer to their first World Cup finals since 1986.

With Devenny playing the full 90 minutes in midfield, Northern Ireland sadly found themselves outclassed on the night in Bergamo, showing plenty of defensive resolve but failing to muster a shot on target against their Italian hosts.

In the end, clinical second-half finishes from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean settled the tie, ending Devenny's World Cup dreams this year.

The 22-year-old Palace man has nevertheless been a key part in a youthful Northern Ireland squad which, over the cause of this qualification campaign, has given plenty of cause to be optimistic for the future.

Brennan Johnson (Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Drawn in the same European play-off section, Wales and Brennan Johnson hosted Bosnia & Herzegovina in Cardiff in the other semi-final on Thursday evening.

Johnson, who had already represented Cymru at the 2022 finals, started on the right hand side of the Wales attack, and saw his team take the lead in spectacular fashion not long after half-time through Daniel James' rising rocket from distance.

But with less than five minutes to go, and Bosnia's attacking influence growing, Edin Dzeko became the oldest European goalscorer in World Cup qualification with a glancing header to take the tie into extra-time.

A physical contest saw few chances in the additional 30 minutes – although Johnson did come close late on with a header back across goal in the closing seconds – meaning the match went to spot-kicks.

There, despite Bosnia's first kick being saved, Johnson and Neco Williams sadly both missed from the spot, with Wales' World Cup dreams dashed in the cruellest of fashions.

Daniel Muñoz & Jefferson Lerma (Colombia v Croatia)

Eagles duo Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma are once again both included in the Colombia squad for two friendlies in the USA as they prepare for the World Cup finals.

Their first encounter saw them tackle fellow qualifiers Croatia at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday evening – the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

The Palace duo both started for Muñoz and Lerma's 43rd and 63rd caps respectively.

Los Cafeteros almost immediately went a goal to the good, as well, with Jhon Arias striking within two minutes – but Croatia levelled just three minutes later when Luka Vuskovic let fly from range.

And on the stroke of half-time, Igor Matanovic took advantage of some slack defending from a corner to head home the eventual winner, with Colombia unable to respond in the second-half; Muñoz and Lerma played 71 and 63 minutes respectively.

Jaydee Canvot (Luxembourg U21s v France U21s)

And finally on Thursday, Jaydee Canvot made his fifth appearance for France Under-21s – again playing the full 90 minutes at right-back – in yet another dominant win, this time triumphing 5-1 away in Luxembourg.

The 19-year-old has now won four of his five matches with France U21s, with his team two points clear at the top at the halfway mark of Group C in Under-21 European Championship qualifying.

Results Round-up

All times in UK time.

England – Wharton & Henderson

Fri, 27th Mar: England 1-1 Uruguay (With Henderson not yet with the squad, Wharton played the second-half, with only an injury-time equaliser denying the Three Lions a friendly victory at Wembley)
Sat, 28th Mar: Wharton withdrew from the squad with a minor knock picked up against Uruguay; Henderson linked up with the squad ahead of England's next match, the FA confirmed
Tue, 31st Mar: England 0-1 Japan (Henderson was on the bench and remained an unused substitute as England fell to defeat at Wembley.

Wales – Johnson

Thu, 26th Mar: Wales 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-4 pens a.e.t.) (Johnson played the full 120 minutes in Cardiff, but saw his team's World Cup hopes ended in cruel fashion on penalty kicks).
Tue, 31st Mar: Wales 1-1 Northern Ireland (Johnson played the last 20 minutes of the draw in Cardiff)

Northern Ireland – Devenny

Thu, 26th Mar: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland (Devenny earned his 11th senior cap and played the full 90 minutes again, but his World Cup dreams were dashed by a dominant Italy team in Bergamo)
Tue, 31st Mar: Wales 1-1 Northern Ireland (Devenny created Northern Ireland's opening goal as they drew in a friendly with Wales at Cardiff)

Colombia – Lerma & Muñoz

Thu, 26th Mar: Colombia 1-2 Croatia (Muñoz and Lerma played 73 and 61 minutes respectively in a narrow friendly defeat in Orlando)
Sun, 29th Mar: Colombia 1-3 France (The Palace duo played the full 90 minutes in Maryland, with Lerma picking up an assist for Colombia's goal)

France – Lacroix

Thu, 26th Mar: Brazil 1-2 France (Lacroix came on in the 58th minute to make his senior international debut, seeing his team through to victory)
Sun, 29th Mar: Colombia 1-3 France (Lacroix's full debut – against Lerma, Muñoz and Colombia – earned him plenty of plaudits, as he played the whole match and helped his side to another victory)

Ivory Coast – Guessand

Sat, 28th Mar: Ivory Coast 4-0 South Korea (Guessand opened the scoring in a dominant friendly win at Stadium MK, completing the full 90 minutes)
Tue, 31st Mar: Scotland 0-1 Ivory Coast (Guessand played the final 13 minutes after he was introduced as a second-half substitute in Liverpool)

Japan – Kamada

Sat, 28th Mar: Scotland 0-1 Japan (Kamada came on after 78 minutes and helped his team clinch a friendly victory with a late winner at Hampden Park)
Tue, 31st Mar: England 0-1 Japan (Kamada started and played 80 minutes as Japan secured a historic first ever win at Wembley Stadium)

Morocco – Riad

Fri, 27th Mar: Morocco 1-1 Ecuador (Riad made his first international appearance since November 2024, starting and playing the full 90 minutes as his country snatched a late equaliser in a friendly draw with Ecuador in Madrid)
Tue, 31st Mar: Morocco 2-1 Paraguay (Riad was an unused substitute as Morocco earned a win over the South Americans)

Norway – Strand Larsen

Fri, 27th Mar: Netherlands 2-1 Norway (Strand Larsen won his landmark 25th senior cap and played the full 90 minutes as his team were beaten by a Netherlands comeback)
Tue, 31st Mar: Norway 0-0 Switzerland (Strand Larsen was introduced as a substitute in the 63rd minute for his 26th senior cap)

Senegal – Sarr

Sat, 28th Mar: Senegal 2-0 Peru (Sarr got his team's crucial second shortly after half-time with a composed finish in a friendly played in Paris, before departing the pitch on 80 minutes)
Tue, 31st Mar: Senegal 3-1 Gambia (Sarr started and set up Senegal's second goal before he was withdrawn in the 64th minute)

Spain – Pino

Fri, 27th Mar: Spain 3-0 Serbia (Pino played the final 13 minutes off the bench as his team ran out comfortable winners)
Tue, 31st Mar: Spain 0-0 Egypt (Pino played the final 17 minutes as Spain were held to a scoreless draw)

USA – Richards

Sat, 28th Mar: USA 2-5 Belgium (Richards was absent through injury, but hopes to return for the USA's next match)
Wed, 1st Mar: USA 0-2 Portugal (Richards wore the captain's armband as the USA suffered a second friendly defeat ahead of the home World Cup)

England Under-21s – Esse

Fri, 27th Mar: Andorra U21 1-1 England U21 (Esse came off the bench for the final 20 minutes and helped the Young Lions secure a late equaliser to remain unbeaten in European Championship qualifying)
Tue, 31st Mar: England U21 4-1 Moldova U21 (Esse scored his first goal at this level for England with a smart header as the young Three Lions ran out comfortable winners at Carrow Road)

France Under-21s – Canvot

Thu, 26th Mar: Luxembourg U21 1-5 France U21 (Canvot played the full 90 minutes at right-back, helping his team to another crushing win in U21 European Championship qualification)
Mon, 30th Mar: France U21 2-1 Iceland U21 (Canvot again completed the full 90 minutes as his team beat second-placed Iceland to move five points clear at the top of their qualification group)

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