With all the club football action across Europe coming to a halt before the teams make one final push for silverwares the season, the last international break of the campaign is upon us now.
Whilst nations across Europe will resume their preparations for the upcoming Euro Cup, the rest of the world pull their knives out in a quest to obtain a berth in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup.
With a host of international football fixtures in the offing, we glance through the 5 best games that you cannot miss during the break.
1. Germany vs Italy
Beginning with the world champions themselves, Germany host arch-rivals Italy on home soil in one of the most riveting friendly fixtures over the week. The sides have shared a historic rivalry over the years, and will keep up with the joneses by squaring off yet again.
It’s worth noting that the Mannschaft, for all their international grandeur and glory, haven’t defeated the Azzurri since 1995. The sides have met 7 times since Germany’s 2-1 friendly victory over Italy in Zurich back in the day, and the latter has come out on top on 4 occasions.
With the Euros on the horizon, Joachim Loew and Co. are heavy favourites to lift the Henry Delaunay trophy in Paris. However, before they add another silverware to their already glittering cabinet, the four-time World Cup winners would like to rectify certain inequities.
Date and Time: 30th March 2016, 12:15AM (IST)
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
2.England vs Netherlands
The Three Lions begin their spate of Wembley fixture before coasting to France for the Euros with the visit of a beleaguered Netherlands. The Oranje failed to qualify for the upcoming showpiece after a poor qualifying campaign that saw them finish fourth in group A behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey, and will look to get themselves back on track before the 2018 World Cup qualifiers rolls into focus soon after the event.
As far as England are concerned, the Brits were the only side to maintain a 100% win record during the qualifiers, cantering their way to the competition with a clean sweep. Manager Roy Hodgson will hope to see his troops continue in the same vein and even go all the way in France to end their long wait for another international glory.
Date and Time: 30th March 2016, 12:30AM (IST)
Venue: Wembley stadium, London
3.Netherlands vs France
The hosts for this year’s Euros are in action too, taking on The Netherlands away from home before a relatively low-key clash with Russia in Paris. Les Bleus have emerged one of the strongest contenders for the title, having romped to a handful of victories since their tour commenced during the start of the qualifiers.
France have overseen victories over Portugal, Spain and Netherlands during that run, and have more than proved their credentials to lift their first trophy since Euro 2000. Now into their final few preparatory games, The French will look to burnish their status further with another strong set of results to kickstart the competition with optimal spirits.
For Danny Blind and his Netherlands team who failed to make it to the Championships this time round, it would be just another meaningless game with only pride at stake.
Date and Time: 26th March 2016, 01:15AM (IST)
Venue: Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
4.Brazil vs Uruguay
Moving over to Latin America, the teams are all geared up for their next set of crucial qualifiers, and the week witnesses two South-American heavyweights go head-to-head in a battle for 3 points, as Brazil welcome Uruguay on matchday 5 of the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
The sides are currently keenly poised in the standings after 4 rounds of games, with Uruguay in second with 9 points, and Brazil a position adrift on third with 7. So the winner of the match will be making an early statement and the history seems to be on Los Charruas’ side.
Of the 74 meetings between the teams till date, Uruguay have come out on top on 36 occasions compared to 22 by their northern neighbors, and will attempt to add another scalp to their list when the sides battle it out again.
Date and Time: 26th March 2016, 06:15AM (IST)
Venue: Itaipava Arena, Recife
5.Chile vs Argentina
In a rematch of the 2015 Copa America finals, Chile entertain Argentina in the capital for their first meeting since the memorable decider in June last year. La Roja ousted Lionel Messi and Co. 4-1 on penalties to claim their first ever international recognition, and now renew their hostilities at the same venue.
Both teams have made a stuttering start to their World Cup qualifiers, lying 4th and 5th in the standings respectively, and will have to start winning games before it’s too late. The Albiceleste have held the dominion over Chile over the years, but the Chileans are a different proposition now.
The victory of Copa America has reinstated their status as one of the dominant forces in the region, and Argentina have a real task at hand when they pay a visit for the latest clash.
Date and Time: 25th March 2016, 05:00AM (IST)
Venue: Estadio Nacional julio Martinez, Santiago
