Man United's Lindelof, Arsenal's Alex Iwobi set to push on from international break

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  • Contrasting emotions: Victor Lindelof (l) with Gianluigi Buffon (all Getty).

    With the international break coming to an end, footballers from across the globe will be flooding back to their clubs in the coming days.

    For some of this number, a spell away from the daily grind of domestic duty has provided them with a rare chance to shine.

    Here, Sport360° looks at the forgotten figures who have sent out a strong message with excellent displays in their nation’s colours.

    VICTOR LINDELOF

    The shaky and fragile figure from his unconvincing early months at Manchester United disappeared in two redoubtable legs as Sweden shut-out Italy to make World Cup 2018.

    Lindelof, 23, dug in superbly next to the experienced Andreas Granqvist at the heart of the Swedish defence. During two goalless matches for the Italians, he produced a combined 15 clearances and four interceptions to deny the likes of Serie A-top scorer Ciro Immobile and returning Andrea Belotti.

    Such displays acted as a contrast to the horror show at Huddersfield Town and showed why manager Jose Mourinho was willing to spend an initial £30.8 million (Dh149m) last summer to draft him in from Benfica. With fellow centre-back Phil Jones picking up a knock with England, another opportunity could soon emerge – potentially when Newcastle United travel to Old Trafford this weekend.

    Victor Lindelof (r)

    Victor Lindelof (r)

    ALEX IWOBI

    A match-winning turn against Argentina should do wonders for an attacker who continues to flit in and out of Arsenal’s XI.

    Playing up top with Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho for Nigeria, he struck twice in the second half to complete an impressive 4-2 victory from 2-0 down against star-studded opponents. The 21-year-old artfully tucked away his first into the bottom corner on 52 minutes, before an impudent nutmeg on Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano later granted him space to side foot home a memorable second.

    The challenge now is to make these flashes of brilliance a more-regular feature of his game. Last time out at Manchester City, he never looked like producing such excellence.

    Alex Iwobi (l).

    Alex Iwobi (l)

    MEHDI BENATIA

    There could hardly be a greater contrast between the centre-back’s standing for club and country.

    The 30-year-old scored at one end and cut a dominant figure at the other in last weekend’s deciding 2-0 win at Ivory Coast. This result ensured no goals were conceded in six third-round matches by a Morocco who sealed a return to the globe’s grandest stage for the first time since 1998.

    Yet for Juventus, Benatia has only started 18 Serie A fixtures since he joined from Bayern Munich – initially on loan – in July 2016. He must hope head coach Massimiliano Allegri was watching.

    Mehdi Benatia (r)

    Mehdi Benatia (r)

    JOAO MARIO

    The Internazionale express has left the centre midfielder behind in recent months, but he continues to be a key figure for Euro 2016 winners Portugal.

    Mario, 24, scored late on in last week’s 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia and came off the bench to add experience to a weakened line-up for Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with United States. Such a role has not been afforded to him by Luciano Spalletti, has not started in Serie A since September 19’s 1-1 stalemate at Bologna.

    With Inter losing some momentum prior to the international break when they recorded the same scoreline at home to Torino, his form for A Seleccao could not be better timed.

    Joao Mario

    Joao Mario

    WESTON MCKENNIE

    In a time of suffering for the United States after their failure to make Russia 2018, a new star appears to be emerging.

    McKennie, 19, earned the man-of-the-match gong on debut thanks to a fine display against Portugal. The Texan teenager dribbled through the opposition defence to score his side’s only goal, also hitting the crossbar with a second-half header.

    The midfielder was part of Schalke’s XI for the first time in a month and a half prior to the international break. Such form could see him remain for Sunday’s visit of Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

    Weston McKennie (r)

    Weston McKennie (r)

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