'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A few times every season, fans of football clubs all over the world groan at the prospect of an international break.
Most of the time, friendlies between national teams are considered an unnecessary burden on players: they don't count for trophies at the end of the season, important players pick up injuries, and they often fail to inspire the excitement and passion that makes up most of the sport.
Every 4 years however, international breaks take on an added importance. Much has been said and speculated ahead of the 2018 World Cup, without much conclusion.
The thing that sets this World Cup apart is the absence of a set of clear favourites. There are the usual suspects: Spain, Germany, Brazil and France. You also have Belgium, Portugal, Argentina, Italy and Uruguay and several other teams that could pull off historic World Cup triumphs for their respective countries.
This break could well be a precursor to their World Cup performances, and an indication of things to come.
With only a few months left to go for the big event, teams have very little game time to get their act together and gel as a unit. Here's a look at 5 of the many important international matches taking place in the next few days.
.
#5 Spain vs Russia
La Roja have been in a state of transition in recent years, with several players belonging to "the golden age" stepping down from the team after extraordinarily successful careers.
Spain haven't exactly lit up the world with performances or scorelines in the recent past, losing 2-0 to Italy in the UEFA Euro 2016 and crashing out of the group stages in Brazil 2014.
Del Bosque stepped down as manager in 2016, with Julen Lopetegui taking his place. To his credit, Lopetegui has built Spain from the bottom , retaining the experienced core of the team - Iniesta, Busquets, Pique and Ramos - while infusing fresh new talent in the side.
Isco, Thiago and Asensio have taken the world by storm in the last couple of years, and seem intent on replicating their form with the national team. Lopetegui also has an excellent David de Gea at his disposal, and possesses an imposing squad. Spain's qualifying campaign exceeded expectations, with the team winning 28 points out of 30.
The match also has an element for significance for Russia, who will be playing at home at the Kretovsky Stadium to prepare themselves for the competition.
The Russians have had the luxury of automatic qualification, but that also means that they are less prepared as a unit than their more illustrious opponents. Spain, similarly, must also find their best starting eleven if they are to scale the heights that their predecessors have conquered in the past decade.
#4 Argentina vs Russia
Throughout Argentina's World Cup qualifying campaign, the team garnered only one positive headline: "Messi's hat-trick secures World Cup place for Argentina." Such is the dependence of the Albiceleste on their talismanic number 10.
That brings us to the most puzzling aspect of Argentina's performances: a severe lack of goals despite boasting some of the world's best attacking talents.
Aguero, Dybala, Higuain, Icardi and Di Maria have all been unable to replicate their club form at national level, and there is simply no chemistry between the forwards.
Jorge Sampaoli was brought in to correct the deficiencies in the team, and has so far been unable to rejuvenate a side that has been disappointing over the course of the campaign.
His insistence on keeping Dybala on the bench has incurred the wrath of the Argentina fanbase. Sampaoli would be wise to use these friendlies to devise a system that accommodates both Messi and Dybala.
Icardi has been ruled out of the squad with a knee injury, but Aguero makes a return to the team for this fixture.
Russia aren't the easiest of teams to face at home, and Argentina have an opportunity to acclimatise themselves to the conditions. With only a few games to go, time is running out for Sampaoli to get his stars to perform at their very best.
#3 Brazil vs England
Talk of Brazil being tournament favourites at the start of their qualifying campaign may have been premature then, but Neymar and co. have certainly outdone themselves over the past year. With Neymar, Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus, Brazil arguably have the best and most in-form front line in the world.
The Samba boys have produced some scintillating displays this season, tormenting opposition defences. In goalies Alisson and Ederson, they have found a steady presence in goal, and are sure to make their mark in the World Cup 2018.
Paulinho has also chipped in with a few goals, and with Casemiro and Fernandinho, makes up a tenacious midfield. Coach Tite has also done an excellent job of finding a solid starting eleven for the World Cup next year.
England have flattered to deceive during their qualifying campaign, and expectations of the national team are at an all time low, given their knack to choke at crucial stages of important competitions. But it would be unwise to count the Three Lions out of the contest, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Rashford experiencing a good run of form.
Brazil were in imperious form during the qualifiers, finishing their campaign at the top of the table, with ten points separating them from 2nd placed Uruguay. England have their task cut out for themselves if they are to beat Brazil in this particular friendly.
#2 Germany vs England
The German national team has always been a force to reckon with at every World Cup since the last century, possessing quality players, a unique efficiency and incredible squad depth for every tournament.
As reigning champions, Die Mannschaft will start the tournament as clear favourites.
They have one of the strongest international squads at the moment. With a midfield comprising of the likes of Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Leon Goretzka among others, the Germans are certain to control the game against any given opposition.
Goalie Marc Andre Ter-Stegen has served as an excellent deputy to Manuel Neuer, making more than his fair share of saves this season.
While Germany have seemed the epitome of stability, England's performances have left much to be desired. Gareth Southgate's policy of constant reshuffling has resulted in several youngsters getting the opportunity to represent their country.
However, Southgate also seems to have no idea what his starting eleven should be, and such indecision will most likely hamper England's progress leading up to the World Cup.
Although England topped their qualifying group and dropped only 4 points, they are yet to face genuinely excellent opposition.
International friendlies against Brazil and Germany will definitely correct that, and England must step up to the plate in these matches if they are to give their fans any sense of hope for the World Cup 2018.
#1 France vs Germany
As we gear up for the World Cup next year, this particular fixture between two tournament favourites is sure to leave fans intrigued.
France and Germany may take each other on in a high profile match of a much higher intensity during the World Cup, but fans will be able to get a peek into how that match might play out in a few days' time.
They are two of the best teams going to the tournament in terms of squad depth. Both nations can field at least 3 teams of incredibly gifted players, who can, on their day, beat several other national teams.
Such depth in two different, competing squads is rare, let alone in squads that are competing to win the biggest trophy the game has to offer.
France were very inconsistent during the qualifying campaign, with their best performance a 4-0 win against the Netherlands. With the likes of Griezmann, Mbappe, Dembele (currently injured) and Kingsley Coman, France is an absolute nightmare to face.
However, the Germans will back themselves not only to keep the French attack at bay but also create attacks of their own, courtesy of their seemingly unlimited resources.
With so much quality on the pitch and on the bench, this mouthwatering contest wfeatures two teams determined to prove that their best is yet to come, and is easily the best this international break has to offer.
