10 key takeaways from the international break featuring Premier League stars

 

As the international break comes to an end, club football is set to return this weekend and continue into April, with various leagues entering crucial stages.

During the break, several Premier League stars were in action for their national teams, delivering standout performances, facing setbacks, and making headlines.

PUNCH Online highlights 10 key takeaways from the international break featuring Premier League players.

 

Jimenez’s late heroics secure Mexico’s CONCACAF Nations League title

Fulham striker Raul Jimenez played a pivotal role in Mexico’s 2-1 victory over Panama to secure their first-ever CONCACAF Nations League title. Jimenez scored both goals, including a dramatic stoppage-time penalty.

The victory marks a significant milestone in Jimenez’s career after a long recovery from a severe head injury suffered in 2020 while at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He missed Mexico’s Gold Cup triumph in 2023, making this moment even more special.

Jimenez is now just 13 goals shy of Javier Hernandez’s all-time record of 52 goals for Mexico, and at 33 years old, he still has time to reach that milestone.

 

Premier League stars shine in Spain-Netherlands classic

One of the standout games of the international break was Spain’s thrilling penalty shootout win over the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals after an aggregate 5-5 draw.

The two-legged tie featured a host of Premier League players. Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert assisted Cody Gakpo in the first leg, while Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro featured in Spain’s defensive setup.

The second leg saw Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen score on his international debut, a boost for the young defender after a tough season. Another notable moment was the Spain debut of Bournemouth’s 19-year-old centre-back Dean Huijsen, who played 120 minutes in the second leg.

 

Tuchel’s England sees new stars emerge

New England head coach Thomas Tuchel made waves with his squad selection in his first set of matches in charge.

Eberechi Eze’s solo goal in England’s 4-0 win over Latvia drew praise from Tuchel, who had previously called for more attacking intent from his wingers. Chelsea’s Reece James also impressed, scoring a stunning free-kick in his first England appearance in two years.

Tuchel’s first camp also saw Myles Lewis-Skelly make a goalscoring debut, while Curtis Jones and Morgan Rogers stood out in midfield. Tuchel appeared pleased with England’s strength in depth, describing it as “one of the best in international football.”

 

Kamada sends Japan to the 2026 World Cup
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama.

Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada broke the deadlock with a composed chip over the goalkeeper just three minutes after coming off the bench. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo also featured in the win, ensuring Japan’s unbeaten run in qualifying continued.

With qualification secured, Japan’s Premier League stars can now focus on club football without the pressure of upcoming qualifiers.