The List | Ten Things We Learnt from the World Cup Qualifiers - Football News

So the International break is finally over and England have qualified top of their group after some ‘crunch clashes’ (yes we are using that term loosely) but their hopes in Brazil may not be as great as Roy Hodgson would like. There are some mighty good sides out there at the minute, and we're not just talking about the South America contenders.

Sides like Spain and Germany are established forces and despite the competition not being on European soil, will fancy their chances. There are also the not so dark horses of Belgium, who have come to the front of the race after bringing though a squad that is simply sensational. So with these thoughts in mind, we've come up with ten points the Internationals have raised.



What a bad time for Ashley Cole to get injured – Leighton Baines is in the form of his life, and anyone who has seen his performances for England whilst filling in for the injured Cole will be asking the very same question; just who should be the first choice? Cole edges it defensively, but the ball Baines crossed in for Rooney’s goal was superb. Quite a conundrum for Roy to have.

Wazza is still England’s main man – He may play second fiddle to Robin Van Persie at Manchester United, but when it comes to England, Rooney is the man. A future skipper possibly, but undoubtedly the best forward they have, and someone who actually shows passion in an England shirt. He will be vital in Brazil, make no mistake.



Loan spells work – Anyone who looked at Andros Townsend this week will tell you that Spurs were right to loan him out last term – and that spell has been credited as being the ‘making of the lad.’ Look across to Belgium and Romelu Lukaku, and you think the same thing. At Chelsea he may not be playing each week, but he will at Everton, and that loan move will see him on the plane to Brazil.



Casillas is as untouchable as ever – He may have been dropped for the game on Saturday, but against Georgia, the skipper was back with a bang. Despite not featuring in La Liga at all for Real Madrid, even when Victor Valdes is excelling at Barcelona, Casillas will be first on that team sheet come Brazil. Spain more than any other side are guilty of selecting on anything bar merit.



Benteke v Lukaku – Both forwards are sensational, but are seen as too similar by the Belgium coach, meaning that one will start in Brazil and one will be benched. On the performance of the last two games, Lukaku is making a claim to be that main man and will thank God that he made the loan move to Everton where he will be playing every week.



RVP is an all time great – Well, for Holland at least. The forward is now the all time Dutch top scorer and celebrated with the man he overtook, Patrick Kluivert, who held the previous record of 40 goals. David Moyes will certainly be hoping that form gets recreated for Manchester United.



Schurrle can finish after all – Chelsea fans have been wondering just why Andre Schurrle considers himself to be a clinical finisher after the German International skied attempt after attempt in a Blues shirt. For his country though it seems to be a different story after netting a hat trick of goals on Mesut Ozil’s birthday (who, for all the Ozil lovers out there, and let’s face it that’s everyone with a heart, also scored.)



There's some mighty good teams in the playoffs - England will be glad to have avoided the playoffs with automatic qualification given the talent fighting it out for those final spots. France and Portugal are the main contenders and will hope to avoid each other in Monday’s draw. Uraguay are also in the playoffs after finishing 5th in their group, despite beating Argentina in their final game.



Belgium are the ones to watch – Despite conceding a late goal to Wales, Belgium are a mighty good side. All throughout their team they can boast top class players. From Courtois to Hazard, they have such strength and depth. They also have winners in Vincent Kompany and are the team everyone will be looking to avoid in Brazil.



Those strategic yellow cards are still there with a vengeance - Cristiano Ronaldo managed to get himself yellow carded to miss the final group in order to be available for the vital playoffs. He would not answer questions as to if the card was planned, something that would sanction a suspension, but in all honesty, is the grass green? Does Ronaldo consider himself better than Messi? In a word, yes.

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