It was an eventful international break, with many managers using the chance to look at their players for the final time before the World Cup kicks off in November.
England’s Harry Maguire endured a painful night against Germany on Monday, while Three Lions icon David Beckham’s £10million ambassadorial role for World Cup host nation Qatar was blasted by former Man United team-mate Eric Cantona.
Meanwhile, Steve Clarke’s resurgent Scotland sealed promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a gritty draw against Ukraine, and Lionel Messi scored a superb double for Argentina to continue his fine form.
New Chelsea manager Graham Potter was handed a big fitness boost, while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta will be cursing his luck after several key injuries before the North London derby.
Below, Sportsmail takes a look at the winners and losers of the international break.
It was an eventful international break, with Scotland sealing their Nations League promotion
England defender Harry Maguire had a night to forget against Germany on Monday – and below
WINNERS
Resurgent Scotland battle through
John McGinn joked after the game that it was Scotland’s ‘second-best 0-0 win’ after a goalless draw against Ukraine on Wednesday confirmed their promotion from Nations League Group B1.
Looking back at the celebrations after a stalemate against eventual finalists England at Euro 2020, which gave them their only point as they finished rock bottom of the group, just shows how far they have come.
Now that same result has left them shooting upwards into the competition’s top tier, while their old foes from across the border are relegated. Yes, it was only a draw. But they were ravaged by injury and knew defeat in Krakow would see them fall short.
Steve Clarke’s resurgent Scots battled through for the ‘second-best 0-0 win’ in their history
Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, potentially the team’s two best players, were out injured and were among the seven defenders missing in total. Scott McTominay was out too. A virus in the camp served only to bring the players together.
No longer are the Scots whipping boys at international level, and the result means promotion, a guaranteed spot in the Euro 2024 play-offs and a pot two seeding in the draw for Euros qualification. Not bad for a 0-0.
Among the other British sides, Northern Ireland avoided relegation and Wales – despite going down from their group – have an extremely united fanbase and a positive mood…