International football is about to take a back seat over the next few months, with November’s break the last of 2021. And it certainly didn’t disappoint, with a number of excellent performances from superstars and lesser-known players alike during their respective World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Read on below as SBOTOP recognizes the top five players who stood out the most during the November international break.
Harry Kane, England
It has been a tough season domestically for Harry Kane. The Tottenham Hotspur star has struggled for form and has scored just one goal thus far in the Premier League. But the England skipper put his club issues aside during this international break to score a hat-trick in the Three Lions’ routine 5-0 win over Albania.
That three-goal haul saw Kane tie the great Jimmy Greaves for fourth place on the England goalscoring charts with 44 goals in just 66 caps.
Kane will likely look to add a few more goals to his tally in England’s final qualification match against bottom-side San Marino, which should significantly boost his confidence when he returns to his club.
Kylian Mbappe, France
Mbappe made the most out of France’s match against minnows Kazakhstan as he scored four goals and supplied one assist in Les Bleus’ lopsided 8-0 victory.
The PSG star is clearly putting the bad memories of Euro 2020 well behind him. After scoring in both games to lead France to their first UEFA Nations League title, Mbappe has now scored six goals in his last three games for Les Bleus.
Mbappe has also been in fantastic form with PSG. He has 16 goal involvements – seven goals and nine assists – in 16 games in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
When he is in this sort of form, the 22-year-old is simply unstoppable. France will certainly be hoping he can carry this form over to Qatar, where he can create World Cup 2022 highlights aplenty.
Christian Pulisic, United States
After missing time due to an ankle injury, Pulisic made his triumphant return to the USMNT by coming on as a substitute and scoring in a 2-0 win against arch rivals Mexico. The victory was huge as it sent the US ahead of Mexico in the standings via goal difference.
Pulisic, who also scored the crucial winning goal in extra time against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final, once again showed how crucial he is to the USMNT.
With the Americans still lacking a consistent goalscorer, Pulisic is the most likely player to pop up with a big goal when they need it the most. But the Chelsea star will need to stay healthy and play for the USMNT to take the next step in international football.
Dusan Tadic, Serbia
Serbia pulled off perhaps the biggest shock of the international break as they beat Portugal 2-1 in Lisbon to win Group A and gain automatic qualification to Qatar.
Dusan Tadic was instrumental in the Serbs’ victory. The 32-year-old equalised after Renato Sanches put Portugal ahead after just two minutes and also supplied the assist for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s dramatic 90th-minute winner.
Tadic, who has also been a crucial part of Ajax’s early Champions League success, has been one of the more underrated players in Europe over the last few years. And after leading Serbia to automatic qualification, he looks primed to show the world just how good he is in Qatar.
Elif Elmas, North Macedonia
After making their debut appearance at a major international tournament in Euro 2020, North Macedonia are now eyeing qualification for Qatar after they reached the World Cup 2022 play-offs.
The North Macedonians beat both Armenia and Iceland during this international break to overtake Romania for second place in Group J.
Eljif Elmas played a huge part in both of those triumphs. The 22-year-old Napoli midfielder set up two goals in their 5-0 thrashing of Armenia, then scored the two winning goals to beat Iceland as he finished with four goals and two assists in qualifying.
Elmas has already garnered interest from clubs in other top leagues – Leeds United reportedly made a bid last year – and if he continues to produce these sorts of performances that can lead his country to the World Cup, it likely won’t be long until he gets a move to a bigger club.
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