Not much time is left before the Desert World Cup starts in Qatar: less than two months from now, the hosts’ game against Ecuador will be played on November 20. Shortly before the tournament, many of Europe’s top countries, belonging to the narrow confines of the title, are far from their best. Defending champions France could only avert relegation from the League of Nations with support. National coach Didier Deschamps’ team lost 2-0 to Denmark at the end of Group 1 on Sunday, but gained from Austria’s 3-1 defeat against runners-up Croatia.
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England are already at the bottom of the table in the Germany group before a duel against the DFB team and have been relegated and the German national team also missed out on next summer’s League of Nations Final Four chance due to a surprise defeat against Hungary. three-pointer. Spain suffered a crushing 2-1 loss against Switzerland last Saturday, but could take first place in the Nations League Group 2 in a straight match against Portugal on Tuesday evening. European champions Italy, however, are not even in the World Cup after missing out on qualifying. But how are the other big football countries outside Europe in shape just before the start of the World Cup? Of PlayBUZZER, the sports portal of Editorial Network Germany (RND), checks the form.
Argentina: The team surrounding superstar Lionel Messi is playing in a group with Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia in the World Cup. Recently, Argentina won their friendly match against Honduras 3-0. Against the outsider “Albiceleste” dominated, with 68 percent possession of the ball and 17 shots on goal. Lautaro Martínez (16th minute) and Messi (45+2/69) scored the least goals. Argentina have been in good form so far this year, having won six of their seven caps (a draw), including the prestigious Finalissima (3-0) against European champions Italy. The next Test is against Jamaica on Wednesday.
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Brazil: The five-time world champions are hungry for goals this year – coach Tite’s side have scored 21 goals in seven internationals, most recently following goals from Marquinhos (9′) and Richardson (28’/40′) last Friday Won 3-0. Against Ghana, Selçao also played a friendly against Germany’s World Cup opponents Japan, winning 1–0 after a Neymar penalty. On Tuesday, Brazil will face Tunisia. In the World Cup, the team will face Cameroon, Switzerland and Serbia in the group stage.
Uruguay: The South American suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Iran last Friday, the first loss of the year for coach Diego Alonso’s team. Earlier, the team around superstars Darwin Nez (Liverpool) and Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) had won six out of seven games. The next Test is against Canada on Tuesday evening. In the World Cup, Uruguay meets Ghana, Portugal and South Korea.
Mexico: Due to World Cup qualification for Qatar and the already started Nations League in CONCACAF (North American and Caribbean Federation), “El Trai” has already played 14 international matches this year, with seven wins, five draws and two losses. Huh. Most recently, a goal (85′) from Hirvin Lozano resulted in a late win in Sunday’s friendly against Peru. The next Test against Colombia is on Wednesday. In the World Cup, the team plays in the Argentine group.
United States of america: Americans are still looking for their form. There have been five wins, three draws and three losses in eleven international matches this year. One of them is the last in a Test against Germany’s World Cup rivals Japan (0:2). “We still have work to do. We obviously have to improve,” said coach Greg Berhalter after Japan went bankrupt. Critical voices surrounding the 49-year-old coach are rising in his home country. The American boys are playing in a World Cup group with England, Iran and Wales.
Senegal: The Africa Cup of Nations winner around Bayern superstar Sadio Mane can look back on a very good international year. Twelve games, nine wins with just one loss – it’s a matter of pride. The most recent was a 2-0 win against Bolivia on Saturday, with Mane scoring the final goal. The next Test is against Iran on Tuesday. In the World Cup, the team has to deal with Ecuador, hosts Qatar and the Netherlands in a group.
Ghana: Former Bundesliga professional Otto Edo’s team is not in shape yet. Most recently, there was a 3-0 loss against Brazil, who are certainly one of the favorites to win the World Cup, but the African team has had a mixed year so far. Seven games are on the book with two losses, three draws and only two wins. The next Test is against Nicaragua on Tuesday. The World Cup is against Switzerland, Portugal and South Korea.
