Premier League stars who impressed during the break

• Ahead of their return to the Premier League, these are some of the standout performances from the last week of the international break.

Ahead of their return to the Premier League, these are some of the standout performances from the last week of the international break.

Luis Diaz

Luiz celebrates after scoring twice. Photo/beIN Sports

After his father was abducted, Luis Diaz faced difficult circumstances in the last few weeks, so the winger’s game-winning performance against Brazil—which took place in front of his father, who had been set free among the Colombian crowd—was a touching moment.

Colombia defeated Brazil in World Cup qualifying, coming back from behind after giving up Gabriel Martinelli’s first goal for the Brazilians to secure a crucial victory. Diaz scored both goals for Colombia. The 26-year-old scored his second goal to keep Colombia unblemished in their quest to advance to the 2026 tournament after heading home an equalizer.

Just two days had passed since Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was set free from the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla organization that had held him captive. This event sparked tearful celebrations both on and off the field.

John McGinn

Scotland will compete in the European Championship for the second time in a row. They finished their qualification push with draws against Georgia and Norway.

Scotland twice recovered a 3–3 tie in the exciting match that took place at Hampden Park in the second of those games. McGinn was instrumental in his team’s victory, first setting up Stuart Armstrong’s goal with a brilliant one-two and then scoring an equalizer from the penalty spot.

Given that McGinn has been playing well for both club and country this season, Aston Villa will be hoping for good news about the injury the midfielder received against Norway.

Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero. Photo/ BBC

Argentina leads the South American World Cup qualification table, even after suffering their first defeat of the season this month against Uruguay. But the world champs recovered magnificently, defeating Brazil in the Maracana in a match marred by unruly spectators.

Cristian Romero, the center-back for Tottenham, was in superb form as La Albiceleste defeated their bitter rivals to put pressure on Brazil, who had already dropped three of their first six games.

After witnessing the Spurs player excel in the Superclásico, Lionel Messi recently referred to Romero as the “best defender in the world.” His fellow countryman’s assertion seems plausible. Romero played a great defensive game, winning 8/10 duels, making four tackles, clearing four passes, and completing six of his six long balls.

Mohamed Salah

Egypt’s World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a fantastic start with consecutive victories. In their first game, the Pharaohs smashed Djibouti 6-0, with four goals from Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, who played with ruthlessness.

This season, Salah has been unstoppable at the club level. He carried that form into the break, and three days later, he helped Mahmoud Trezeguet score in the 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone with nine men. With 95 appearances for the national team, the 32-year-old has already scored 55 goals, closing on Hossam Hassan’s Egypt record of 68.

He will be essential to Egypt’s aspirations of winning the AFCON for the first time in thirteen years in the upcoming year, as Salah and The Pharaohs attempt to surpass their runners-up performances from 2017 and 2021.

Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez celebrates against Brazil. Photo/The Hindu

With five goals in six games for Uruguay, Darwin Nunez leads the South American World Cup qualifying scoring thus far.

Nunez has played well for Liverpool this season at the club level. He carried that form into the international break, scoring a vital goal that ended Argentina’s 14-game winning streak against the world champions.

In the storied Bombonera stadium, Uruguay triumphed handily, with Nunez scoring the second goal late in the game following Ronald Araujo’s first. The 24-year-old then scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Bolivia for Marcelo Bielsa’s team in Montevideo.

Dominik Szoboszlai

In what has been a positive international break for Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool is included for the fourth time.

With a late draw against Bulgaria guaranteeing Marco Rossi’s squad a spot in the competition next summer, Dominik Szoboszlai enjoyed helping Hungary to Euro 2024 qualification this month.

As Szoboszlai scored twice, including a spectacular solo goal, to extend his record to 10 goals in 38 caps, it was a joyous occasion for their second match of the break.

Szoboszlai has played a major role in Hungary’s impressive qualifying performance. The Hungarians won Group G and were undefeated in the qualifying round, finishing four points ahead of Serbia.