September 2025 international break was as memorable as it was heartbreaking, but for Europeans who still have the levity of time left to make up for their slip-ups, the fall of giants in Africa and South America can still be amusing.

In the wake of its end, we take a look at the standout facts, individual brilliance, and national landmarks set in the two games per nation break.

10 Crazy Facts from September 2025 International Break

1. Mikel Merino Masterclass

Mikel Merino scored four goals in the two games of the September 2025 international break, including a hat-trick in a 6-0 demolition of Turkiye to emerge as one of the best players of the break.

The Arsenal midfielder scored the third in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in the first game, where he was a surprise starter given Luis de la Fuente left other favoured options like Dani Olmo and Aleix Garcia on the bench.

He followed that up with a five-star performance against Turkiye, where he scored a hat-trick to stretch his record as the player with the most goals for the Spanish national team since the turn of the year with seven, three more than any other player.

Aside from the goals, Merino also created a combined three open play chances, one big chance, and made eleven recoveries.

2. Memphis Depay Crossed the Netherlands’ All-time Line

Memphis Depay had an international break to remember as he not only surpassed the record for most goals for the Netherlands but also equalled the record for most assists for the country.

The 31-year-old headed into the September 2025 international games with his sights set on surpassing Robin van Persie and becoming the Netherlands’ outright all-time leading goalscorer, but the goal did not come in the first game against Poland.

However, he did assist his country’s only goal of the game, and that took him level with Wesley Sneijder as the all-time leading assist maker in the country’s history with 33.

Depay finally got his record-breaking goal against Lithuania in the second game of the break when he opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and extended it with his 52nd international goal when he fired home the winner just after the hour mark.

3. Mateo Retegui Peaked for Italy

Mateo Retegui returned to Europe with a bang as he registered six goal contributions in two games for Italy during the September 2025 World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel.

The Capocannoniere winner with Atalanta, returning to Europe for the first time following his big money move to Saudi Arabia with Al Qadasiya in summer, scored a brace for the club before departing for international duties.

He continued his red-hot form in the visit of Estonia, assisted the first and scored the second just before and after the hour mark respectively, before scoring Italy’s fourth of the night in the 89th minute as it eventually finished 5-0.

He added three assists against Israel in the second game, teeing up Moise Kean with his first two, and completing the hat-trick by setting up Matteo Politano in the 58th minute, with all taking just 18 minutes.

The 26-year-old has now registered six goal contributions in his last two games for Italy, just one shy of his total of seven in his first 20 games for his country.

4. Erling Haaland Has No Limits

Erling Haaland was directly involved in seven goals — five goals and one assist — as Norway sealed an astonishing 11-1 win over Moldova to round up their September 2025 schedule with their third-biggest win ever.

The performance made it a combined total of eight goal contributions in the two games of the month, after scoring the lone winner against Finland five days earlier.

The striker, who has now extended his tally as the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of Norway to 48, now leads the way in the European World Cup qualifiers with nine goals, at least three more than any other player.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo Made World Cup Qualifiers History

A match headlined by Dominik Szoboszlai’s long wait to play against his idol, 16 years after first seeing him up close as a mascot in the same Ferenc Puskas Arena in Budapest, Cristiano Ronaldo was in town again, but that led to more than just a reunion.

By converting a 58th-minute penalty, the Portuguese made it goal contributions in each of his last six meetings with Hungary, and also equalled Carlos Ruiz’s record as the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers on 39 goals.

He will be hopeful of surpassing the record in the next international break, when Portugal takes on Ireland and Hungary again in crunch ties of the qualifiers for next year’s global showpiece.

6. Lionel Messi Made History on Home Farewell

It was an emotional night in Buenos Aires as Lionel Messi played what is most likely his final home game for Argentina as he prepared to embrace the possibility of international retirement after the upcoming World Cup tournament.

Ahead of kickoff, his inclusion in the starting XI meant he became the player with the most appearances in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers with 72, and he was honoured by his country ahead of the match.

As usual, he went on to deliver a masterclass, scoring two brilliant goals to lift the team to a comfortable 3-0 win, extending their unbeaten home run to six, while extending his record as the all-time leading goalscorer in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers to 36 goals, of which only Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Ruiz have more across all confederations — both 39.

7. Brazil and Argentina Beaten on the Same Day

Just for the third time in history, Brazil and Argentina were beaten on the same day in the World Cup qualifiers, as Bolivia and Ecuador recorded important victories, decisive for Bolivia’s qualification hopes.

Before the 2026 qualifiers, the only time both South American heavyweights lost in the qualifiers was back in October 2015, when they fell to Chile and Ecuador, respectively, in the opening round.

Uruguay beat Argentina in Buenos Aires while Brazil fell in Colombia on the same day in the fifth round of the just-concluded qualifiers back in November 2023, and their recent losses make it three such occasions.

8. Nigeria All But Mathematically Away from World Cup Absence

Ahead of the final round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria has been left on the brink of exit, and they are bound for back-to-back absences in the finals for the first time since their first-ever appearance in 1994.

With 11 points from eight games, the three-time African champions are currently placed third in Group C, where even a second-place finish is far-fetched, and even if they do seal it, it does not look like it will be enough to secure a ticket.

This is only the consequence of a poor start, where they failed to win in any of their opening four games under the watch of Jose Peseiro and Finidi George, while they also fumbled a couple of games by their standard under Eric Chelle.

9. Bolivia Took a Bold Step Towards Ending World Cup Absence

With their first win over Brazil since October 2009, which ended a run of seven winless matches in this fixture, Bolivia have taken a bold step towards reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, an achievement that would end a 36-year wait.

The win takes them to 20 points, and they leapfrog Venezuela to the only qualification playoff spot available for CONMEBOL. They now await their opponent for the tie, which will be their final hurdle to finally seal a World Cup berth.

10. Senegal Remontada in Kinshasa

Senegal took on Congo DR in the top-of-the-table clash in Group B of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, needing to win to overtake their host, who kicked off the day one point ahead.

However, it was Congo who got off to a dream start and took a two-goal lead through Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa in the opening 33 minutes.

Senegal would not give up, fought back, managed to pull one back through Pape Gueye before the interval, while Nicolas Jackson drew them level just after the restart, and then Ismaila Sarr scored the winner seven minutes from time.

It was a memorable comeback for Pape Thiaw’s charges as they go two points clear with two more games to go, and it's safe to say World Cup preparation can kick off in Senegal, because the 18 points could also be enough for qualification as one of the best second-placed teams.