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So the international break is over and you know what, it wasn’t as dull as it could have been.
We had the obvious good performances of Spain and Germany, the brilliant surprise stories of Syria and Liechtenstein, and the continuation of incredible form from Northern Ireland and Wales.
All that and more, here’s an international edition of the good, the bad and the ugly.
THE GOOD:
Best player: Isco
Actually, we’d still like to say a few things about it. Those goals were brilliant, THAT nutmeg on Marco Verratti could become iconic.
Isco wasn’t just brilliant against Italy but took his early season form into the game against Liechtenstein too.
David Silva and Andrés Iniesta showed they still have a place on the side but Isco’s performances proved Spain don’t have to worry too much when the elder statesmen call it a day.
Best team performance: Syria
Two goals against an Iran side that hadn’t conceded in qualifying, the second coming deep into injury time to keep their Russia 2018 hopes alive.
You don’t need me to tell you what the nation has been through. It was simply heartwarming to see hundreds gathered to watch the game on a big screen in Damascus.
Omar Al Somah’s goal secured a play-off game against Australia that we’ll be keeping a keen eye on.
Best goal: Ben Woodburn v Austria
How many times does a national anthem provide assistance? It really is like something out of Hollywood.
The entire stadium spontaneously started to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau moments after Woodburn, just 17, entered the field for his national team debut.
Seconds later, the ball fell to him and he struck. If it happened on the big screen you would roll your eyes at how clichéd it was.
THE BAD
Worst player: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
€40m? Have Liverpool kept the receipt?
Oxlade-Chamberlain had a game fairly typical of his career to date; there was plenty of promise when he picked the ball up, only for it to end with you scratching your head.
Two strong England attacks against Slovakia really underlined what he’s good at and why he’s so frustrating.
Everyone will be hoping Jürgen Klopp can iron that out of his game before Russia rolls around.
Worst team performance: Norway
Germany are pretty good, we get it, but Norway were amateurish.
This isn’t San Marino or Andorra, this is Norway. They’ve been to three World Cups and almost half their squad plays in major European leagues.
By half-time, Germany had mercy on them. It could have been 10. Not a good advertisement for the qualifiers.
Softest goal conceded: Gylfi Sigurdsson v Ukraine
A whole host of own goals have made it into our ugly section, so we’ve hunted for some downright despicable defending.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s opener against Ukraine was simply calamitous.
AND THE UGLY
The Nazi Chant
There were some unsavoury scenes in Prague as German neo-nazis sullied Germany’s defeat of Czech Republic.
Joachim Löw’s stern response was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Middle Finger
Dele Alli’s response after things didn’t go his way against Slovakia wasn’t so well thought out.
Bizarre Own Goal
Lastly, a word for the officials. Football wouldn’t be the same without them.
Ukraine beat Turkey 2-0 last week thanks to two goals which should have been disallowed.
If that’s what rules Turkey out of next summer’s competition, boy that could be ugly.
