5 best matches to watch out for this international break (November 2021)

The international break is not something most football fans look forward to. Ardent football fans want to see their clubs play week in and week out and the international break quite simply snaps their momentum.

But with the 2022 FIFA World Cup right around the corner, international sides are looking to secure their ticket to the tournament. That is why these international breaks are important. When there is a World Cup berth on the line, no game is a mere formality.

This international break will feature plenty of competitive games. We will see several top international sides locking horns with each other over the next couple of weeks.

Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best matches to watch out for this international break.

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#5 Spain vs Sweden (14th November)

Can Spain get the better of Sweden this time around?

Sweden are currently on top of Group B of the European World Cup Qualifiers. They have 15 points after six matches and are two points ahead of La Roja who sit second in the group. Sweden beat Spain 2-1 at home in the first round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Aleksander Isak and Viktor Claesson scored for Sweden after Carlos Soler's opener for Luis Enrique's men, which came as early as the fourth minute. The two sides had met earlier in a group stage game at Euro 2020. They played out a goalless draw there.

Sweden are a side that Spain have struggled to get the better of in recent times. The Spanish side are looking to recover from their UEFA Nations League final loss to France.

It's a battle for supremacy in Group B and it should be an exciting contest between two very good sides.

#4 Portugal vs Serbia (14th November)

Serbia v Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Despite all of Cristiano Ronaldo's heroics and international goalscoring exploits, Portugal are not toppers in their World Cup Qualifier group. Portugal are currently second in Group A behind Serbia. The two sides will clash at the Estadio Da Luz on the 14th of November.

Portugal have a game in hand over Serbia and could move ahead of their opponents with a win. Fernando Santos' men have won all five of their games since Euro 2020. In those five games, they have scored 16 goals and conceded just two.

But Serbia won't be pushovers. The Serbs are unbeaten in their last five matches as well and have several in-form players going into this game.

Portugal and Serbia met in the first round of the qualifiers back in March. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Cristiano Ronaldo stormed off the pitch at the end and threw his captain's armband to the ground after the referee decided his shot hadn't crossed the goalline when it clearly did.

#3 Brazil vs Colombia (11th November)

Neymar Jr. (centre) of Brazil fights for the ball with Yerry Mina and Carlos Cuesta of Colombia

Brazil are unbeaten in their 2021 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign so far. However, they have a testing set of fixtures in this international break. They will take on Colombia on Thursday night.

The Selecao are on top of the table, having won 10 of their 11 qualifying matchups up until now. The only South American side they couldn't muster a win against was Colombia and the two sides played out a goalless draw when they met in October.

Colombia are fourth in the table with 16 points. They will be looking to go past third-placed Ecuador but will have their work cut out against a formidable Brazilian side. Colombia have called James Rodriguez back into the side after almost a year. They have a great squad and could give Brazil a run for their money.

#2 Uruguay vs Argentina (12th November)

Argentina v Uruguay - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Uruguay are a wounded animal right now. They suffered back-to-back defeats against Argentina and Brazil in the last international break. The nature of the losses is quite concerning for Oscar Tabarez's men.

They were beaten convincingly on both occasions. They fell 3-0 to Argentina before losing 4-1 to Brazil and will be vying for revenge. However, they will head into the fixture without star striker Edinson Cavani, who is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

Uruguay are fifth in the South American World Cup Qualifier table and risk falling further down the order if they lose against Argentina on Friday. Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni's men are undefeated in 25 consecutive international matches and have been in pretty good form.

#1 Argentina vs Brazil (16th November)

Brazil v Argentina - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Eternal rivals Argentina and Brazil had lined up and taken to the field to play a World Cup Qualifier in September. However, the match was suspended after 10 minutes as health officials invaded the pitch and reprimanded some Argentina players for breaking Brazil's Covid-19 quarantine rules.

It was billed as a Copa America 2021 final rematch and that will now apply to this fixture on the 16th of November. La Albiceleste are a formidable unit and both sides are yet to lose in their 2021 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Argentina will be looking to prove that their win in the 2021 Copa America final was no fluke. Brazil will be vying to establish themselves as the team to beat on the continent. With the likes of Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Raphinha, Casemiro etc. set to feature, this promises to be an absolute cracker of a match.