Everton: Belgian newspaper reacts as Amadou Onana sent off in 3-2 win v Austria
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana started Belgium’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Austria on Friday but was sent off in the 78th minute as the Red Devils ran out 3-2 winners.
Two goals from Dodi Lukebakio and former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku ensured Belgium became one of the first teams to book their ticket for next summer’s Euro 2024, qualifying from Group F (13 October).
However, the win in Austria wasn’t without its struggles as key midfielder and Everton maestro Onana was correctly sent off 12 minutes from time after collecting two yellows on either side of half-time.
Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (13 October) wasn’t entirely impressed with his actions, giving him a “4/10” rating writing: “On land and in the air. Often sharp in the duels with good ball recoveries. Too nonchalant in possession – he can credit the 1-3. Unnecessarily took red in the slot.”
Rare red
No one can doubt Onana’s crucial importance for the Red Devils and even Everton right now but even the best players can have a rare moment of madness and the former LOSC Lille man was correctly hooked off his second bookable challenge.
The Red Devils did manage to get the win and the three points, but new manager Domenico Tedesco won’t be entirely pleased by their defence as Austria certainly made them work for the victory.
Onana is emerging as an essential midfield lynchpin for Belgium, and his red card certainly won’t derail his first-team chances under the former RB Leipzig boss.
He is simply too metronomic and too important for both his managers to be sitting on the bench somehow, and given the midfielder’s mentality, character and work ethic, he won’t allow this rare setback to derail his progress and development.
Onana did start on the bench in Everton’s last Premier League game, their 3-0 win over Bournemouth but did come and make an impression but whether Dyche sticks to that winning formula again when the league resumes remains another question.
In other Everton news, prospective new Everton owners 777 Partners could sanction one senior Goodison Park exit in January after latest transfer news.