5 matches worth watching over the international window

With no madcap CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, there's a risk of being numbed by the money-spinning friendlies or humdrum processions around San Marino's defence during the latest slate of international tests.

Here, theScore picks out the matches worth your time over the next few days.

Italy Under-20s vs. England Under-20s

(Photo courtesy: Getty)

When: Thursday at 7:00 a.m. ET

Where: Jeonju World Cup Stadium - Jeonju, South Korea

When England last reached the semi-finals of an U-20 World Cup, Julian Joachim was feeding on scraps ahead of a resolutely defensive squad featuring future Premier League mainstays Steve Watson, David Unsworth, and Nicky Butt. It was 1993.

Now, over 24 years later, a new breed featuring Liverpool new boy Dominic Solanke - who was the beneficiary of a forensic pass from Bournemouth's Lewis Cook in Monday's 1-0 quarter-final win over Mexico - Tottenham Hotspur hopefuls Kyle Walker-Peters and Josh Onomah, and Everton's Ademola Lookman are giving Three Lions fans hopes of a brighter future.

It's Italy that stands in England's way. The young Azzurris eliminated the gifted France side in the Round of 16, and have reaped the rewards of exciting Juventus winger Riccardo Orsolini finding the back of the net four times during their run.

Who can reach Sunday's final to face either Uruguay or Venezuela?

Friday: Sweden vs. France

When: Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Friends Arena - Solna, Sweden

Life without Zlatan Ibrahimovic just isn't the same. John Guidetti has never lived up to the hype that followed him in the youth ranks at Manchester City, and Ola Toivonen did little to ease the forward-line burden on Martin Braithwaite at Toulouse, subsequently falling down the club's pecking order when Andy Delort was snapped up in January.

That leaves much of Sweden's attacking fortunes resting on RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg.

That predicament couldn't be more opposite to France's embarrassment of riches. Watching Manchester United-linked defender Victor Lindelof try to keep European luminaries such as Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Alexandre Lacazette, and Kylian Mbappe at bay should be an enthralling, if a little one-sided, endeavour.

France is stacked and easily one of the favourites for the 2018 World Cup. Sit back and enjoy.

Saturday: Scotland vs. England

When: Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET

Where: Hampden Park - Glasgow, Scotland

"There is a different sort of edge when you come up against England. Even when it's a friendly game you still get that fear in you that if you get beaten it won't be good, but if you win it will be the best thing going," Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass told The Telegraph's Roddy Forsyth.

"I would be lying to you if I said it was just a normal game. If you are not up for this game then I don't know what's wrong with you."

Those north of Hadrian's Wall haven't tasted victory against their old foe since 1999, and last November's 3-0 loss - which saw numerous squandered chances for the Scots - was "shocking," said Snodgrass.

But to write off Scotland on Saturday would be foolish. Embattled manager Gordon Strachan's squad selections are certainly questionable, but its midfield - featuring Snodgrass, Darren Fletcher, and Tom Cairney - is arguably more talented than the one that travelled to the 1998 World Cup.

A quick start from Scotland in the tetchy atmosphere of Hampden Park could bewilder England's youngsters.

Sunday: Serbia vs. Wales

When: Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Rajko Mitic Stadium - Belgrade, Serbia

Few venues in European football are as intimidating as the home of Red Star Belgrade, and the last time Wales visited Serbia in 2012 - on that occasion at the less fierce Karadorde Stadium in Novi Sad - Chris Coleman's side was blown away 6-1.

This time, the Dragons are tasked with getting a much-needed result in World Cup qualification without the suspended Gareth Bale and following four consecutive and uninspiring draws.

The way Wales' campaign has fared so far indicates a last-day battle with Ireland for a possible play-off berth in second is the best-case scenario - even if the Green Army squanders points against Austria moments before kick-off in Serbia.

But for that to occur, Euro 2016 semi-finalist Wales needs to go out for the win - and that could make for the most intense occasion of the weekend.

Sunday: Mexico vs. United States

When: Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Azteca - Mexico City, Mexico

Last November, there was an air of distraction around the MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio as Americans and Mexicans pondered life under Donald Trump, who had been elected president just two days earlier.

There was an air of change in the stadium too, as Juan Carlos Osorio's side showed promising signs of ridding the hangover of a 7-0 thrashing from Chile in the Copa America Centenario with high-tempo football that unravelled the United States' backline. A late 2-1 victory via veteran Rafa Marquez's header was the least El Tri deserved.

Now, in the sixth match of Bruce Arena's return as U.S. boss, the visiting side to Mexico's iconic Azteca could make a huge statement by denying its rival early qualification to the 2018 World Cup. If Osorio's lot collects three points on Thursday against Honduras, a full share of the spoils at the States' expense three days later will confirm advancement from the Hex.

Much will be made of Carlos Vela's deeper role and, of course, el romperedes Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez for Mexico, but the United States' Jozy Altidore has been at his bustling best for Toronto FC in the 2017 MLS campaign.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images, unless stated otherwise)