Jurgen Klinsmann has named a vastly experienced starting eleven for Friday night’s World Cup qualifying match against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. The only real deviance from that formula is the inclusion of 18-year-old Christian Pulisic, but the Borussia Dortmund starlet was widely tipped to start tonight.

Goals from Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana and Chelsea’s Gary Cahill lifted England to a 3-0 victory over Scotland in World Cup qualifying at Wembley Stadium. 

England’s impeccable qualifying record continues, the Three Lions firmly in control of UEFA’s Group F following three wins and a draw from four matches. With Liverpool in tremendous Premier League form, it was no surprise to see Sturridge and Lallana get on the scoresheet while Jordan Henderson pulled the strings from midfield. 

“We need to change this s---ty situation. We didn't expect this result. It could have even been worse. We weren't able to react,” Lionel Messi said after Thursday’s match, summing up their loss to Brazil as well as anyone could. 

Judging by their recent form and the fact that Brazil never lost a World Cup Qualifiers match at home, it would be no stretch to predict a draw or a win against Argentina. 

This week sees the resurrection of one of sports' greatest rivalries. Two neighbouring countries who have spent years locking horns in various elements across the world of sport will collide once again. With precious points in World Cup qualification up for grabs, the United States versus Mexico will be a can't miss encounter.

The United States of America

Jermaine Jones has provided the largest source of “bulletin board material” for Mexico’s locker room by launching a scathing assessment of Mexico’s Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez. While Jones says he wouldn’t label Chicharito a “dirty player”, he does believe that the Mexican striker's fondness for playing directly on the offside line makes him something of an annoyance to come up against.

The United States vs. Mexico is one of the footballing world’s biggest international rivalries. The games are always intense, and the two sides clearly do not like each other. They have played 66 times dating back to 1934, with Mexico holding the overall advantage with 34 victories, 14 draws and only 18 losses.

While the focus has rightly been on corruption allegations in the bidding process, bribery, money laundering, forced labor, human rights abuses, the host country’s stance towards members of the LGBT community and climactic conditions resulting in a contentious decision to move the tournament to November and December, Qatari officials have come to another controversial decision by forbidding the consumption of alcohol “on the streets, squares and [in] public places” at the 2022 World Cup.

There is so much hype going into the Brazil versus Argentina match that it is tough to even decide where to begin. Arguably the most heated international derby on the planet, every time Brazil and Argentina meet it’s a special occasion. This Thursday’s match, however, has some extra plot elements that make this particular encounter a unique and spicy affair.