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After four weeks of insane club football action, its time for the players to return to international duty once again. Unlike most other international breaks, this is going to be a triple-header for many sides, meaning several teams will be playing as many as three games this time around.
There are some mouth-watering friendlies in midweek, followed by equally enticing games in the UEFA Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers.
Here are the best seven best games to keep an eye out for.
#7 England vs Wales (International friendly, 7th October)
This is one of the oldest fixtures in world football and also one of the sports' best rivalries, but the neighbouring British sides have met only five times in the 21st century. The latest clash also marks the first meeting between England and Wales since the Euro 2016 group encounter in France which the former won 2-1.
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Played in Wembley, the upcoming 'Battle of Britain' is low on stakes, as it's only an international friendly. To water it down further, several first-team stars from both sides will be missing in action. Nevertheless, there's pride on the line, so expect a hard-fought encounter.
#6 Portugal vs Spain (International friendly, 7th October)
Another 'derby', Portugal and Spain, the winners of the last two editions of the European championships, lock horns in an enticing friendly in Lisbon. This also marks the first game between the Iberian nations since the 3-3 thriller in the World Cup in 2018, though this one might be low on drama.
Both teams have a Nations League double-header coming up after this clash, so they maybe tempted to err on the side of caution. Several top stars from both sides are likely to be benched, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who struck a hat-trick in that epic World Cup encounter in Russia in 2018.
#5 Uruguay vs Chile (World Cup qualifier, 8th Oct)
Over in South America, the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup kicks off this week, and our pick of the first round is an intriguing tie between traditional powerhouses Uruguay and Chile. Even though the Celeste leads the all-time record with 45 wins and just 19 defeats, the Reds have proved to be a thorn in their flesh in recent ties.
They've won three of the last six encounters between the two sides, but all at home. Having failed to qualify for the World Cup last time, Chile will be hoping for a better run this time around. They will look to get least a point against Oscar Tabarez's side, who are set to be bolstered by the return of Luis Suarez.
#4 Croatia vs France (Nations League, 14th Oct)
France and Croatia meet again in another rematch of 2018 World Cup finals. Les Blues beat Zlatko Dalic's side 4-2 last month, a scoreline identical to the one in the Moscow showpiece two years ago and will now be aiming to get third time lucky over the Vatreni.
They face Portugal prior to this, who are currently ahead in the group on goal difference. So the result in that game will dictate how France turn up for this one, though Croatia have the home advantage. Dalic's side haven't lost on home soil in a competitive game since October 2013 and are also bolstered by the return of midfield magician Luka Modric.
#3 Italy vs Netherlands (Nations League, 14th Oct)
The Netherlands, runners-up in the Nations League last year, were dealt a blow in their Nations League campaign this time around, as they lost 1-0 to Italy at home last month.
Another victory next week would virtually end the Oranje's hopes of making it into the knockout rounds, and to make matters worse for them, the Azzurri haven't lost at home in a competitive fixture in almost a decade. An exciting clash could be on the cards.
#2 England vs Belgium (Nations League, 11th Oct)
Given the sheer number of attacking talent in both camps, we're in for plenty of goal-mouth action here. Belgium currently lead England in the group by two points, so the pressure's on the Three Lions to step up.
The European behemoths last met during the 2018 World Cup, once in the group stage and then in the semi-finals. The Red Devils coming out on top on each of those games, but can they make it three-for-three?
#1 France vs Portugal (Nations League, 11th Oct)
A rematch of the Euro 2016 final, France and Portugal meet in an enciting top-of-the-table clash and interestingly, at the same venue where the latter became European champions. Both have collected six points from six so far, but the Seleccao is currently ahead on goal difference.
Also, with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side this time, Les Blues will be put through the wringer, but they've traditionally dominated this fixture and also boast a healthy record at home against Portugal. Either way, keep an eye on this one.
