There are those who ‘hate’ the international break, given that it comes right when we are getting into the swing of things in the new season. However, the excellent summer of international football, with the Copa America Centenario and the Euro 2016 prove that nations duking it out on the pitch instead of clubs is still a desirable event.
Indeed, some players can look at international football as a break, as they shrug off a miserable start to the season and enjoy the ‘distraction’ of playing for their country.
Here are 5 players who shone in this International break.
1) Gareth Bale
You would expect that after a summer where Gareth Bale won the Champions League and guided Wales to their best ever finish in a major international tournament, he would pop up on a beach with some cocktails and relax. Yet, the Welsh wizard has not let up, playing with the same intensity and hunger, thus beginning the 2016/17 season with a bang.
Moldova are hardly the most scary of opponents, but they kept the Welsh out for the opening half hour, with Chris Coleman’s side looking rather sluggish. With the capacity crowd in Cardiff getting more nervous with memories of old failings coming back, up stepped Bale to get Wales’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start.
First, a peach of a cross from the right allowed Sam Vokes to break the deadlock, with Joe Allen making it two at the end of the half. Bale then pounced on a misplaced pass in defence and burst through with his trademark pace to clip an exquisitie finish over the onrushing keeper. A confident penalty at the end ensured that Bale capped off the night iwth two goals and an assist.
No wonder Real Madrid haven’t noticed Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.
2) Gabriel Jesus
After signing a major £27 million contract to work under the best manager in football and play in the best league in the world, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus followed that up by making history with Brazil, playing an important part in the Selecao earning the only trophy that has evaded them, the Olympic Gold Medal.
Thus it was no surprise when the senior team’s new boss, Tite, named him in the important clash against Ecuador. Make no mistake, this was a big call – Brazil hadn’t won on Ecuadorian soil for 33 years, and were facing the very real prospect of missing out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Jesus responded to his manager’s call, earning the penalty with which Neymar began the scoring, before showing his intelligent prowess in front of goal to stab in Marcelo’s cross. The youngster then curled an exquisite finish with his left foot to bring up his brace, putting him in the company of greats like Pele, Rivaldo and Neymar who scored on their Selecao debut.
Jesus continues to remain grounded, ignoring the hype to focus on Palmeiras, which bodes very well for Brazilian football, who have risen to 5th in their 10-team CONMEBOL qualifying group.
3) James Rodriguez
It’s not hard to feel some pity for James Rodriguez. Real Madrid spent a bomb to bring the 2014 FIFA World Cup star from AS Monaco, but have then proceeded to not even offer him the chance to shine. James’ troubles have been amplified under Zinedine Zidane, with inexperienced youngster Marco Asensio, Mateo Kovacic and Isco preferred over the Colombian.
Much like what the sight of a buffet does to a starving man, James Rodriguez must feel similarly when he lays eyes on the Colombian shirt. Jose Pekerman’s side faced a tricky encounter against Venezuela, but James shrugged off his club troubles to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
He opened the scoring with a calm right footed finish after Bacca laid off the ball to him, showing greath strength to hold off his marker. James followed that up with a stunning solo run to assist for Colombia’s second goal. However, he was brought back to earth when he missed a penalty in injury time, but it was academic, with Colombia now rising to 3rd in the CONMEBOL standings ahead of their game against Brazil.
4) Robbie Keane
After 18 years of leading the line for Irish football, Robbie Keane bid farewell to his nation’s side in the most perfect manner possible. A Round of 16 loss to France in Euro 2016 would have been a bittersweet way for Keane to say his goodbyes, especially after such a stellar career with the Green and White Army.
Thus, the friendly against Oman would have to serve as Robbie’s final farewell. A pre-match compilation of his best moments in an Irish shirt left burly, full-grown Irish lads in the crowd bawling their eyes out, as Keane received a hero’s welcome.
And then Keane did what he does best. Score.
It was typical Robbie Keane – a quickfire volley that was followed up with his trademark cartwheel-guns celebration, to take his tally to a record 68 international goals, equalling Gerd Mullers record. The night was capped off with a standing ovation as he was subbed off in the 56th minute. Take a bow, son.
5) Diego Costa
Alvaro Morata might be a bit unhappy with the how the season has begun – he’s back as the second choice striker for Real Madrid after starting for Juventus last year, and has now become second choice for Spain as well, after a Euro 2016 where he led the line.
Julen Lopetegui’s reign began with Morata, but a hamstring injury meant Diego Costa came on to reignite his Spanish career. The Chelsea striker changed the complexion of the game against Belgium, bullying the defenders and allowing David Silva to find more space and get on the scoresheet twice in a 2-0 win, with Costa putting in a Man-of-the-match performance.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign then got off to a stunning start, with Costa rampaging through the Leichtenstein defence to open the socring in the 10th minute, before netting his second soon after. The Chelsea forward was critical of the Spanish press for a Barcelona-Madrid bias, and backed up his remarks with a typically hungry performance.
