Football: Top 10 moments from the International break

A thrilling international break threw up some memorable moments. We take a look at the top 10 moments from the recently concluded International break.

Japan’s 3rd goal vs Belgium (Japan 3-2 Belgium, International Friendly)

Wonderful interplay from the home team saw substitute Shinji Okazaki volley home Keisuke Honda’s delightful flick. Japan held on for a memorable 3-2 friendly win, with Honda getting on the scoresheet as well.

The 3rd goal starts at 3:24

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Mandzukic red card (Croatia 2-0 Iceland, 2014 World Cup Playoff)

A bitter-sweet day for Mario Mandzukic saw the Croat fire his team in to the lead, only to receive his marching orders for a high-footed lunge on Iceland’s Gudmundsson. The 10-men home team held on for a 2-0 aggregate win that saw them book their tickets for Brazil.

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Ibrahimovic’s super freekick (Sweden 2-3 Portugal, 2014 World Cup Playoff)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s quick second-half brace was not enough to prevent visitors Portugal from garnering a 4-2 aggregate win and proceed to the World Cup. The second of the Swedish hitman’s goals was quite a hit, with Portugal custodiam Rui Patricio unable to stop Zlatan’s ferocious freekick.

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Comical own goal by Greece (Romania 1-1 Greece, 2014 World Cup Playoff)

A bizarre own goal by Greece gave Romania hope in the second leg of their World Cup playoff, but the visitors held on to win 3-1 on aggregate and book their tickets for Brazil. The own goal came courtesy Jose Holebas’s clearance which hit Vasilios Torosidis and looped into the net.

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Ronaldo guides Portugal to World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo guided Portugal to a rousing 3-2 win away at Sweden courtesy three great goals. The Real Madrid hitman first fired his team into the lead early on in the second half, only to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace put Sweden in the lead by the 72′. However, Ronaldo scored two quick goals on the break to dash any late comebacks by Sweden.

The Portugese’s performance meant he joins Pauleta as Portugal’s record goalscorer with 47 international strikes. Ronaldo has scored 47 goals in 109 matches for Portugal and has already scored 28 goals in 20 matches this season for club and country.

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France show their mettle to reach World Cup (France 3-0 Ukraine, 2014 World Cup Playoff)

France put in an inspired effort to become the first European country to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit and reach the World Cup. Goals from Mamadou Sakho and Karim Benzema gave the hosts a 3-2 aggregate win.

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Neymar‘s skill vs Chile (Brazil 2-1 Chile, International friendly)

Neymar and Robinho stole the show as Brazil saw off Chile comfortably, running out 2-1 winners. Neymar’s audacious double sombrero on the Chilean keeper was the highlight of the tie.

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Carlo Costly’s goal (Ecuador 2-2 Honduras)

Carlo Costly’s quick second-half brace ensured that visitors Honduras took something out of their friendly against Ecuador. Costly’s second goal in the 67′, a beautiful left-footed curler, left the keeper rooted to his spot.

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Benzema’s offside goal

France’s 3-0 win over Ukraine was marred by two offside controversies.

The first one saw Benzema given offside incorrectly and his goal was consequently ruled out.

Minutes later, Valbuena’s touch fell in the way of Benzema, who appeared to be in an offside position when he struck the goal. This time the flag stayed down and France had their goal.

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Iceland get pitch ready for Croatia match

A wonderful time lapse video shows the preparation that went behind Iceland readying the pitch for their match against Croatia.