Top 5 matches to watch during this international break

Sad there's no club football for two weeks? Don't be! Watch these 5 upcoming international fixtures!
Sad there's no club football for two weeks? Don't be! Watch these 5 upcoming international fixtures!

#3 Chile vs Brazil (2nd September)

Chile have beaten Brazil only once in their last 17 clashes!
Chile have beaten Brazil only once in their last 17 clashes!

Over in South America too, the CONMEBOL sides will resume their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with each of them playing thrice next month.

In the first matchday since the 2021 Copa America, two giants Chile and Brazil face off in Chile, but the pressure is more on the hosts, though.

La Roja have won only once from their opening six games and drawn thrice, reigniting fears of a 2018 FIFA World Cup repeat when the side failed to qualify.

And which team spelt their death knell? Brazil - the only team on the continent with the distinction of winning all six qualifying games so far.

Another victory over Chile would plunge the latter deeper into trouble, who already have a lot of catching up to do in the campaign.


#2 Switzerland vs Italy (5th September)

Italy beat Switzerland 3-0 in the group stages of Euro 2020!
Italy beat Switzerland 3-0 in the group stages of Euro 2020!

European champions Italy will play for the first time since their crowning moment in London a few months ago and will face tough opposition in Switzerland next week.

The sides, as expected, are leading in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers in the UEFA zone, with the Azzurri on top with nine points followed by Rossocrociati in second place with seven.

However, there's been a small change in their camp, as manager Vladimir Petkovic left the managerial role following a successful UEFA Euro 2020 campaign which saw the side beat world champions France in the last-16.

Murat Yakin is the new man in charge and the former Swiss international will be served a baptism of fire by Italy in Switzerland's first qualifying game under him.


#1 Brazil vs Argentina (5th September)

Argentina beat Brazil in the 2021 Copa America finals, just over two months ago
Argentina beat Brazil in the 2021 Copa America finals, just over two months ago

Just over two months on from their showpiece clash at the 2021 Copa America final, traditional rivals Brazil and Argentina meet again. And moreover in the former's backyard, where the competition took place.

But would it be a happy return for Albiceleste? Lionel Messi and co haven't had the most convincing run in the qualifiers so far, winning and drawing thrice each from the opening six games.

Yet the new Copa America winners are second only to their giant neighbors with 12 points in the bag, six off the Selecao, and three clear of third-placed Ecuador.

With the Copa America final loss still fresh in the memory, Tite's side will of course have revenge on their minds, and given their strong run thus far, you shouldn't put it past them either.

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