By DAN KARELL
The final international break of the year continues on Friday with the commencement of the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff round.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden in the highest-profile game of the day, though Greece vs. Romania and Ukraine vs. France both carry plenty of story lines as well. Iceland, which has never made the World Cup and would be the smallest nation to do so, hosts Croatia in the first leg in a game expected to played in near-freezing temperatures.
Also in action on Friday, Germany faces a recent international nemesis with a trip to play Italy in Milan. The Italian side defeated the Germans in the Euro 2012 semifinals, a loss that the Germans haven’t forgotten. Other friendly matches on tap on Friday include England hosting an attack-minded Chile squad and Argentina facing Ecuador from New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
2pm – Turkey vs. Northern Ireland – ESPN3
2:15pm – Italy vs. Germany – Univision Deportes
2:45pm – Portugal vs. Sweden – ESPN Deportes/ESPN3
2:45pm – Ukraine vs. France – ESPN3
2:45pm – Greece vs. Romania – ESPN3
3pm – Scotland vs. USA – ESPN2/UniMas
3pm – England vs. Chile – Fox Sports 1/Fox Deportes
8pm – Ecuador vs. Argentina – beIN Sport USA/beIN Sport en Español
Chile handles England. Chile looked good and are a team that should not be underestimated in Brazil next summer. Great win.
I dont think they qualified right? Which should demonstrate how much harder South american qualifiers are compared to Europe.
They qualified third…
Iceland pulls out the 0-0 draw down a man.
I’m rooting for Iceland in a Jamaican bobsled team kinda way
Jamaican here. We hated that movie.
Omar Gonzales is a good defender, but he loses composure on the international stage.
The new Scotland uniforms are not bad either.
Hey TT, I don’t think anyone takes for granted anything about MB90…
White on white uniforms looking sharp.
The white centennial is just fantastic. I hope they keep the crest going into the WC
They do. the 2014 kits were leaked recently.
This POR vs SWE announcer is amazing in a Scandinavian(?) Ray Hudson way.
“All the Portuguese towers are in the box!”
“Cristiano Ronaldo now … steps up to kick ball”
“A very, very dangerous free-kick for yellow team”
Too much soccer! what to do!
Iceland game is entertaining
sweden portugal is a great match up
but i dont know whens the last time i just chose to miss a USMNT Team!!
ahhhh!
Alexi with a fantastic mustache…..
i hate klisman’s linups, perfect time to play cameron at rb, and start brooks/gonzo, also AJ should be at lw
Zangief lost some weight and is now suiting up for Portugal!
I’ve chuckled at that for much longer than I should…
Sacha’s fate is now in his own hands. Will he seize the opportunity, or fail and quietly fade into history never to be heard from again?
And central striker Eddie Johnson at left wing. I wonder who we are going to see subbed in at left wing early in the second half. Yep. That’s who.
who’s who?
brek
My guess is that Sasha has earned this start, which puts either EJ or AJ on that left side spot. Since we have never seen AJ there, JK going with the known player in Eddie.
Icelandic crowd has a good feel to it. Very rowdy and involved. Everybody in the country is probably in there.
How many subs in a friendly? I am hoping for Lichaj, Brooks, Johannsson at the half and Diskerud as well.
6
Be nice to see Iceland do this. Croatian fans have a tendency to make a complete ass of themselves at events.
What is klinnsman thinking with this starting lineup?
Well, remember that we have 6 subs. I don’t however know why EJ is out there.
I’m actually happy to see Sacha getting a run at the attacking mid spot. He deserves it after his play vs PSG in the champs league. Agreed on EJ starting though, I thought AJ for sure…..
US Line up is out.
Jozy
EJ Sacha Bedoya
Bradley Jones
Beas Cameron Gonzo Evans
bummer. was really hoping to see AJ instead of EJ… I’m ok with the rest of the starting lineup
I can see either Sacha playing great or being completely lost in this lineup. Should be interesting. I just hope we have enough possession to have some decent attacks, regardless of how our backline holds up (hopefully well)
Iceland is looking VERY dangerous vs Croatia. If I was a betting man I’d put money on them to score first…..
Seeee they’re just fine without Johansson 😀
Both teams are playing it pretty safe right now. Croatia is clearly calmer, that’s one advantage of not being at home.
Croatia has def settled in a bit now, seeing a lot more of the ball. Modric looks really bad today though…..
You should also be able to see USA v. Scotland on WatchESPN.
Watchespn is only available if you have cable.