One Week Down...Two To Go - How The International Break Has Gone So Far

All The Action Across Week One Of The International Break

The first, and longest, international break of the season has concluded it's first of nearly three weeks with action taking place across the globe.

WIth a week down, here is a rundown the key events across the continents across the first seven days of the break.

Europe

Netherlands 1-1 Germany

The first round of the current UEFA Nations League campaign kicked off on Thursday, with some of the continents biggest nations taking to the pitch.

The highest profile clash was between the Netherlands and Germany, where both sides saw their new managers take charge for the first time with Xavi in the Dutch dugout and Jurgen Klopp taking the reigns as Germany coach for the first time, with the two sides eventually settling for a point each.

Borussia Dortmund mifielder Felix Nmecha gave the Germans a first-half lead, and despite the Netherlands pressure throughout the second half, which saw them mount a total xG of 3.18 with 22 attempts, it seemed like Klopp would get off to a winning start.

However, Cody Gakpo equalised in stoppage time, volleying home an excellent cross from Ruben van Bommel to snatch a point in Amsdterdam.

I thought Netherlands vs Germany game ended as 0-1...what an assist by Van Bommel for the Cody Gakpo goal pic.twitter.com/pq44Vvoq8j

— TOBILOBA (@tobilobaphotog) September 25, 2026

Norway 3-2 Denmark

Norway edged out Denmark in a strongly contested Scandinavian derby as Erling Haaland added two more goals to his total tally for his national side.

Oscar Bobb got the home side off to a perfect start 14 minutes into the contest as he scored just his third senior goal for Norway, and his first since 2024, before Haaland doubled the lead just four minutes later.

However, Denmark would fight back, Mikkel Damsgaard pulled a goal back in the latter stages of the first half with a fine free-kick, before the equaliser came on the hour mark through former Manchester United striker Ramsus Højlund.

But despite that fightback from the Danes, Haaland would go on to have the final say, scoring his second of the game and 64th goal for Norway, in just his 56th cap, 15 minutes from time to seal the three points for the Norwiegians.

Italy 0-2 Belgium

New Belgium boss Mark van Bommel got off to the perfect start as the Red Devils defeated Italy 0-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome with Roberto Mancini losing on his Italy return.

New Paris-Saint Germain winger Mika Godts scored the opener 20 minutes into the contest, showing flair and ice-cool composure to sit down an Italy defender before cooly slotting home past Gianlugi Donnarumma.

Italy would have their chances, with striker Pio Esposito twice coming close to equalising, having a header saved by Senne Lammens and a firs-time strike in the second half which was again kept out by the United stopper.

And the home side would see themselves go two-down midway through the second half, as Benfica winger Dodi Lukébakio all but sealed the deal for the Belgians, denying Italy a result on Mancini's first game back as head coach.

Turkiye 0-1 France

Zinedine Zidane got off to a winning start as the new France boss in his first game in charge since taking over from long-serving Didier Deschamps, defeating Turkiye 0-1 away from home, with Klyian Mbappe scoring the only goal before being forced off injured.

Baris Alper Yilmaz nearly gave the home side an early lead just four minutes in, latching onto a long ball and striking towards goal, but was denied by Mike Maignan.

The France goalkeeper was again called into action in the second half, keeping out a header by Ismail Yuksek at the back post.

However, the French would find a way, with Mbappe being played through by the Michael Olise, and the Real Madrid superstar made no mistake in finishing the chance presented to him to give France the lead in the early stages of the second half.

That goal would prove to be the difference between the two sides, however the win was masked by an injury to Mbappe, with Zidane later saying "it doesn't look good" for the forward who was diagnosed with a minor knee injury following further tests

🚨 OFFICIAL: Real Madrid confirm Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee.

The club expect Kylian to be back in two weeks. pic.twitter.com/H9a9kSBwbT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 26, 2026

England 2-3 Spain

The European and World Champions Spain defeated England at Wembley in a thrilling encounter which saw the lead change three times.

In the Three Lions first match since World Cup Semi-Final heartbreak, Thomas Tuchel would be eager for a statement against the world's very best side in Spain, who had not lost a match since March 2024, however got off to the worst possible start as Marc Guehi presented the ball straight to Lamine Yamal inside three minutes who cooly finished past James Trafford to give Spain an early advantage in London.

However, England would come back, Anthony Gordon finished a rapid counter attack to draw the Three Lions level, before a header from Harry Kane was deflected in through Marc Cucurella to turn the game around.

Ferran Torres at the other end was guilty of missing two big chances, the first well saved by Trafford before hitting a one-on-one effort wide in a end-to-end first half.

And the second half was just as entertaining, Kane smashed the crossbar from the spot when a penalty was awarded against Spain skipper Rodri, before subsittute Alex Baena finished into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

And just as he did in the 2024 EUROS final, forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner vs England, chipping the ball over Trafford to have the final say in a thrilling contest.

Mikel Oyarzabal SCORES against England AGAIN! 🎯

Spain retake the lead after a slick finish from the Spaniard 👏#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/pPT3KvRHWl

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 26, 2026

Africa

In Africa, the qualification for the 2027 African Cup of Nations got underway, with the continetns biggest nations looking to get their campagins off to the perfect start.

DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0, with a former and present Newcastle United player scoring the goals. Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring in the first four minutes before Yoane Wissa sealed the deal 20 minutes from time.

In a clash of titans on the continent Ivory Coast faced off against Ghana, and it was the former who took the points in a 2-0 victory. Brighton's Malick Yalcouye continued his fine start to the season for club and country by scoring the opener just before the break, with Frank Kessie's penalty on the hour enough for the three points.

Malick Yalcouyé inscrit un superbe but pour sa première titularisation. 🇨🇮🔥 pic.twitter.com/V8MO0YFp0d

— APRÈS PRADO C'EST DIDIB 🇨🇮 (@biberonparisien) September 24, 2026

Nigeria also got off to a winning start in their campaign, avoiding a shock by coming from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1. Whilst Egypt were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola.

Morocco also won their first qualifying match, defeating Gabon 2-0 thanks to goals from Noussair Mazraoui and substitute Soufiane Rahimi.

International Friendlies

Whilst competitive action has been going on in Europe and Africa, other friendlies have been taking place across Asia and the America's.

Former striker Diego Forlan took charge of Uruguay for hte first time as manager after taking over from Marcelo Bielsa, however the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid man got off to a losing start, being defeated 3-1 by Japan.

Brazil needed a 95th minute equaliser to avoid a shock defeat away at Australia. The Socceroos took the lead on 68 minutes and appeared like they were going to hold on for a famous win, but AFC Bournemouth winger Rayan saved the day with a last-gasp leveller to ensure the contest finished 1-1.

Meanwhile, USA defeated Peru confidently 4-1, whilst Mexico and Colombia played out a 1-1 draw. Sporting's Luis Suarez's early strike being cancelled out by 17 year-old Gilberto Mora, with the Mexican wonderkid scoring his first senior goal for the national team and becoming the youngest player in Mexico's hsitory to find the net for their senior side in a special moment for one of the brighest teenagers in the game.