Top 10 matches to watch during the international break

Football without a doubt is the most popular sport in the world and is passionately loved by 3.5 billion people according to the records.

With the return of football after the lockdown, it is expected that the calendar will be jampacked for the players as they have to complete different competitions within the football calendar year.

With the major European football league resuming about two months ago and bringing back some level of happiness bar the fact that fans are not still allowed in the stadiums, players have gone on the break to fulfil international duties with their countries.

Football lovers are definitely guaranteed the joy of seeing more games than normal and thus we present the top 10 international matches to watch pending when the leagues resume.

Nigeria vs Sierra Leone – 13th November
The three-time Africa champions took on the Lone Stars in Benin City in the 2020 AFCON qualifying series.

Nigeria have won nine of their previous 14 outings, and they settled for three draws – which all came in Sierra Leone. The last outing between both teams ended 2-1, in favour of the Super Eagles while the Leone Stars’ two wins have come on home ground.

But on Friday, Nigeria started with a 4-0 rapid advantage before the Stars rallied to a 4-4 draw.

Nigeria tops the Group L with 6 points and victory in two legs over Sierra-Leone will give the West Africans the AFCON ticket.

It will interest you to know that Nigeria has never lost a game in the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

Colombia vs Uruguay – 14th November
Uruguay have held the upper hand in their last eight games against Colombia, winning four times and drawing twice. The last time Colombia beat Uruguay was in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where James Rodriguez scored his memorable strike in a 2-0 win.

James Rodriguez’s return to form will be crucial to the Colombians who sit in the third place, three spots ahead of opponents, Uruguay. Both sides have had special moments in recent World Cups and will be looking to make their way back into the famous competition.

Chile vs Peru – 14th November
Two of the biggest South American footballing Nations go head to head in the third matchday of the world cup qualifiers. Chile won 14 matches, losing 7 while drawing 1.

Sitting in seventh and eighth positions respectively, both Chile and Peru will be looking to get their international campaigns back on track if they are to qualify to the World Cup finals in Qatar.

Portugal vs France – 15th November
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to score his 103rd international goal and it could be more. He is on course to equal Iran’s Ali Ali Daei’s 109 goals. The previous Group Stage match between Portugal and France ended in a goalless draw. Portugal faced France in the famous European Championship Finals where Portugal won 1-0 to win the international trophy.

Germany vs Ukraine – 15th November
Germany will battle Ukraine on Saturday in the UEFA Nations League as both sides will look to pick up a vital three points in Group A4, which also includes Spain and Switzerland. Germany is currently in third place with two points after two games, drawing 1-1 against both Spain and Switzerland.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is a point above Germany with three points after defeating Switzerland 2-1 and losing to Spain 4-0. However, a loss against Ukraine would make qualification through the group far from assured.

Belgium vs England – 16th November
Belgium have done extremely well on the international stage and are currently at the top of the FIFA World Rankings. They are also leading the UEFA Nations League table, in a group that involves England, Denmark and Iceland. Both nations have met four times and winning two games each.

Croatia vs Portugal – 18th November
A Portugal side that sits top of Group three of League A in the Nations League, will take on a labouring Croatian team in their final game week of the group stage of the competition. With France close behind them, Portugal will need to be at their best to qualify from their group. Luka Modric’s Croatian side will not be qualifying to the knockouts but will be more than eager to get back to winning ways in their final two games of the group stages.

Spain vs Germany – 18th November
In the final matchday of the UEFA Nations League, the race for qualification from Group D is getting tighter. Spain and Germany sit in positions one and two, separated by just one point. However, with Ukraine hot on their tails, a draw will not do for either side. The Germans play Ukraine in game week five before they face Spain in what will be a frenetic end to an enthralling group.

Uruguay vs Brazil – 18th November
In a clash between two of South America’s most flamboyant sides, Brazil will take on Uruguay during the November 2020 international break. With two wins in two and a massive nine goals scored, the star-studded Brazilians are on top of the qualifying group while Uruguay lie in sixth place.

Poland vs Netherlands – 19th November
Historically, the Netherlands have the upper hand over Poland but the former have misfired in recent times. The Poles sit on top of the group after four games with seven points while the Oranje sit in third place with five points.

Frank de Boer’s side will be without the injured Virgil Van Dijk after the Liverpool defender suffered a serious injury in the Merseyside derby. With the game being crucial for Netherlands’ chances of qualification, expect a fiery game between two of Europe’s best international sides.