This upcoming international break will be a big one as it will feature not one but two of the fiercest rivalries in the Americas – Brazil vs Argentina and USA vs Mexico – colliding in World Cup 2022 qualifying.
Both matchups will feature the first- and second-placed countries in their respective qualifying regions and will be rematches of cup finals from a few months ago, so there will be much more at stake than just bragging rights in their intense rivalries.
Meanwhile, there are also some massive matches in Europe, with big countries needing to win to secure their spots in Qatar as qualifying goes down to the wire.
Read on as SBOTOP lists down the five biggest matches during this November’s international break.
Brazil vs Argentina
It doesn’t get much bigger than the Superclasico de las Americas. Old rivals Brazil and Argentina collide for the first time since they faced off in last summer’s Copa America final, which the Argentines won.
Brazil are currently six points clear of Argentina at the top of the table, with both sides still undefeated through 11 games.
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi missed PSG’s last few games due to injury, but he is working hard to return to fitness ahead of the big clash against team-mate Neymar.
The Brazilian talisman, who has struggled this season, starred in PSG’s last game against Bordeaux. He has been busy creating World Cup 2022 highlights as he is the second-leading scorer in South American qualifying with seven goals, one ahead of Messi.
USA vs Mexico
The eternal rivals meet once again again as the US host Mexico in the first of their two matches in the Octagonal.
The two CONCACAF giants have already met twice this calendar year – in the finals of both the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup – with the USMNT coming out on top on both occasions.
The USMNT are currently in second place in the Octagonal, three points back of leaders Mexico, after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat away to Panama last month.
However, the Americans will have star forward Christian Pulisic back after he missed their last three qualifiers due to an ankle injury.
As for El Tri, they also have their star striker, Raul Jimenez, back in the fold. The 30-year-old Wolves striker got on the scoresheet again for his country with a late penalty in their 2-0 win over El Salvador last time out and will lead the line for Mexico, who will look to avenge their two final defeats against the Americans.
Italy vs Switzerland
European champions Italy face a big match against Switzerland, which could very well decide who will win Group C. The two are currently tied at the top with 14 points, although the Azzurri have the edge in terms of goal difference, so a draw at home would suit them fine.
Italy will be eager to bounce back after their world record unbeaten run of 37 straight games was finally ended by Spain in the UEFA Nations League Finals.
Coach Roberto Mancini has called up some new faces in young midfielders Nicolo Zaniolo, Sandro Tonali, and Tommaso Pobega to provide a potential spark to the side.
Striker Ciro Immobile – the team’s leading scorer with 15 international goals – is also back in the squad after missing the Nations League Finals due to injury.
The Italians will need Immobile – Serie A’s top scorer with nine goals – to get past a stingy Swiss defence which has kept five clean sheets in a row in qualifying.
Portugal vs Serbia
Portugal still have work to do to ensure automatic qualification to Qatar. They are currently in second place in Group A, but they can overtake leaders Serbia if they win their game in hand against the Republic of Ireland.
That would then set up a massive showdown against the Serbs in Lisbon in the final group game of the campaign.
Serbia and Portugal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their first meeting back in March, with the Serbs coming back from two goals down.
But Portugal are nearly unbeatable in World Cup qualifying at home – their last defeat came against Denmark in 2008 – and Cristiano Ronaldo and co. will not be keen throw away their automatic qualification place in front of their home fans.
Spain vs Sweden
Spain are perhaps the highest-profile European nation in the most serious danger of not qualifying automatically for Qatar. La Roja are two points back of leaders Sweden in Group B, although that could still change after their respective away assignments before their big showdown in Seville.
If Sweden maintain their two-point advantage heading into that final match, Spain will face a must-win situation in order to qualify automatically.
But despite the World Cup 2022 odds likely to favour the Spaniards at home, recent history suggests that will not be an easy task . The Swedes are unbeaten in their last three matches against Spain over 90 minutes. That includes a 2-1 win in their first meeting in this qualifying campaign.
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