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International break: 11 must watch matches from World Cup qualifiers

By Thuya Kyaw

MANAUS, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 06: Neymar player of Brazil celebrates his goal during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena da Amazonia at Arena da Amazonia on September 6, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Bruno Zanardo/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 06: Neymar player of Brazil celebrates his goal during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena da Amazonia at Arena da Amazonia on September 6, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Bruno Zanardo/Getty Images) /
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Chile's Alexis Sanchez (L) vies with Ecuador's midfielder Jefferson Montero during the Copa America inauguration football match at the Nacional stadium in Santiago, on June 11, 2015. Chile won 2-0. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)
Chile’s Alexis Sanchez (L) vies with Ecuador’s midfielder Jefferson Montero during the Copa America inauguration football match at the Nacional stadium in Santiago, on June 11, 2015. Chile won 2-0. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Ecuador vs Chile

CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers are always very hard to predict and a strong proof of that would be defending Copa America champions Chile at 7th place currently, which wouldn’t qualify them for Russia. Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men need to wake up quickly as they have lost three times in their last six qualifiers, while drawing two.

Ecuador, in 5th place, are also in similar position. After starting out strongly, they have lost three of their last four games. Worrying signs are there for both teams and a win will be very crucial.

This match will be played in Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito and is located at an elevation of 9,127 feet, giving an advantage to the home team. Ecuador will have all their starters healthy and ready to go but Chile has some injury issues and likes of Gary Medel, Matias Fernandez, Mauricio Pinilla, and Fabian Orellana will not be involved in this game. Nonetheless, it should be a cracker of a match and something that can’t be missed.

Next: Can Seleção stop the rise of La Vinotinto?

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