WEEKEND WATCH GUIDE

 

UEFA: Italy at Spain, 1:45 p.m. Saturday, FS2. When these two European giants were drawn in the same World Cup qualifying group, we knew that these matchups would be key. The group winner automatically qualifies for the World Cup, the second-place team is sent to a nerve-racking playoff. The two are tied for first place in the group.

 

NWSL: Washington at Portland, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Lifetime. With victories in six of its past seven games, Portland might be the only squad that can challenge North Carolina this year. The Thorns have midfielder Tobin Heath back on the roster, but the American standout probably isn’t ready to play after missing most of the season with injury.

 

UEFA: Bulgaria at Netherlands, 11 a.m. Sunday, ESPN2. The Netherlands’ horrific few years rolls on. The Dutch, usually among the best teams in the world, failed to qualify for Euro 2016, and now are in danger of missing out on the World Cup, too. The Netherlands lost 4-0 to France on Thursday, and needs a victory to keep its hope of qualifying alive.

 

UEFA: Portugal at Hungary, 1:45 p.m. Sunday, FS2. Portugal was expected to win its qualifying group rather easily, given its Cristiano Ronaldo-headlined squad. But a loss to Switzerland has the Portuguese stuck in second place. These two teams played to a 3-3 draw in Euro 2016 last year, which Portugal went on to win.