The week of the international break was yawn-inducing for some.  Portugal vs. Iceland is not a game to hurry home for, unless you are from one of those countries.  For others, this international break offered some delectable morsels including the first World Cup qualifiers, with Argentina vs. Chile, and a Mexico vs. Brazil friendly that turned out to not be so friendly.  For some, however, the international break was a time to hold your breath and pray.

Real Madrid had 13 players on international duty.  There would have been more if not for the recent international retirement by Carvalho and injuries for Karim Benzema, Pepe and Fábio Coentrão.  Youngster Raphäel Varane was on duty for the French under-21 squad.  Hamit Altintop was on call for Turkey.  Naturally, Cristiano Ronaldo was called up by Portugal.  Gonzalo Higuain and Ángel Di María headed to South America for games with Argentina.  Marcelo joined the Brazilian squad for friendlies in Costa Rica and Mexico.  Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira joined their German teammates for Euro 2012 qualifiers (although Germany had already qualified).  The remainder of the Madrid players:  Iker Casillas, Raul Albiol, Álvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were called up for Spain (Spain also having qualified for Euro 2012).

For the Spaniards, they were having a good time in the Czech Republic, albeit a little bored.  The evidence included some pictures from a Parchis game (thanks @XabiAlonso – the girls appreciated those) as well as the following:

Quite a few of the Madridistas had significant impacts in their games.  Higuain continued his impressive run of late scoring a hat trick for Argentina against Chile (with 2 of those goals being assisted by Di María).  Alonso would take a great pass from David Silva and capitalize beautifully for Spain against the Czech Republic.  Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score for Portugal against Iceland, but his impact is always felt as competitors turn their focus to him, ignoring other strong players who can easily score.  He would score against Denmark, but Portugal will still need to fight for a place in Euro 2012.  Altintop and Khedira played against each other as Germany faced Turkey.  Özil would not play in that game, but scored a fantastic goal against Belgium.  It would be Marcelo's stunner and game winner for a 10-men Brazil squad against Mexico that would be my pick for the best goal of the international break.

The good time feeling about the break would change, at least for Madrid fans.  Sergio Ramos would be subbed at half in Spain's match against the Czech Republic due to a thigh problem.  Raul Albiol was not available for Spain against Scotland (and apparently will not be available for Madrid for 3 weeks) as he suffered a fractured cheek bone in training.  However, it was the hit on Xabi Alonso in the Czech game that caused most of Madrid and Spain to hold their breath and pray.  Love or hate Madrid, love or hate Spain, you have to admire Alonso.  Liverpool fans still mourn his loss.  José Mourinho has admitted that he is an irreplaceable and key component to the squad.  The Czech player knew immediately that he had made a poor decision as he slid in with a high boot, studs up (see picture left).  Alonso is not the player that goes down.  He is not the player that the stretcher is called for.  To see him limping, barely able to stand, and then to watch as he headed straight to the locker room, struggling, was difficult.  [Note:  He apparently suffered a severe bruise, practiced fully and, although fit, did not figure in the Scotland match (apparently Arbeloa's superheroes were looking out for him).]

The players on international duty are now headed home and it appears there were no more significant injuries.  A sigh of relief can be taken.  Now one can only help wondering if there was any more Parchis time before the players returned.  Pictures welcome and encouraged.

A.J. Nelson can be found on Twitter @FootieObsessed.