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7 matches to watch during the September international break

ByOrri Benatar|
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with the trophy after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with the trophy after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 05: Kylian Mbappe of France in action during training before the International Friendly football match between Germany and France at Allianz Arena on September 5, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 05: Kylian Mbappe of France in action during training before the International Friendly football match between Germany and France at Allianz Arena on September 5, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

With the Premier League taking its first break, the nations from the World Cup and so many others will return to action over the next five days.

Thursday will be the start of the first international break since the World Cup. Along with the usual friendlies, UEFA’s brand new competition the Nations League will have its first ever matches across Europe. Women’s World Cup qualification happened earlier in the week, with Scotland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany booking their places to France for next summer.

The Nations League headlines this international break with many top quality matches to come. We also will see Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and some important friendlies. Here are seven matches that you should keep your eye on.

Germany v France (THU 9/6)

UEFA Nations League – Munich – 2:45 pm EST – ESPN2

How do you start a brand-new international competition and convince people that its different? Simple. Just have the last two world champions open up the tournament in a top-notch stadium.

Germany and France will kick-off the Nations League at the Allianz Arena tomorrow in the first-ever League A match. The world champions are bringing almost all of the players that earned that second star in Russia while Germany is seeking massive redemption after crashing out in the group stage. A new competition needs big teams, big players, and a big stage. This game fulfills that.

Egypt v Niger (SAT 9/8)

Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying – Alexandria – 2:00 pm EST – beIn Sports Espanol

The Africa Cup of Nations is moving to the summer and to a 24-team format. In qualifying, the top two teams in each of the 12 groups will book a spot to Cameroon for the biannual tournament. Before the World Cup, Egypt lost their opening qualifying match to Tunisia in Rades. They currently sit at the bottom of Group J with Tunisia, Swaziland, and Niger ahead of them.

On Saturday, the Pharaohs return after an embarrassing World Cup in a must-win game against Niger, who are currently 103rd in the world. Despite his thoughts on international retirement after Russia, Mo Salah has been named to the team and will return to his home nation.

England v Spain (SAT 9/8)

UEFA Nations League – Wembley – 2:45 pm EST – ESPN+

Another huge European match-up! Just two days after Germany plays France, England goes to Wembley to host Spain and their new manager, Luis Enrique. Gareth Southgate has picked a mix of World Cup stars like Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire, and Harry Kane with new call-ups Luke Shaw, Joe Gomez, and Danny Welbeck.

Enrique has picked a different crop of players than what Julen Lopetegui selected before getting fired. Chelsea stars Marcos Alonso, Alvaro Morata and Cesar Azpilicueta headline the EPL presentation for La Roja.

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