Football Friendlies: Argentina is preparing for the World Cup

Led by captain Lionel Messi, co-favourites Argentina clearly won the last friendly before the World Cup 5-0 (4-0) in the United Arab Emirates. Poland and Croatia were also successful in the dress rehearsal.

Albiceleste are unbeaten in 36 matches since their impressive win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (November 16, 2022). Another unbeaten game would see Argentina equal Italy’s record of 37 straight games unbeaten.

36th game without defeat for Argentina

The Squadra Azzurra, which failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, went almost three years unbeaten since October 2018. Argentina accepted its last defeat in July 2019.

Against the United Arab Emirates, coached by Argentina’s Rodolfo Arruabarreña, Julián Álvarez assisted Messi in the 17th minute, Angel Di Maria (25’/36′) scored a remarkable brace and Messi (44′) headed in with his right foot . Angled shot before the break. Then Joaquin met Correa (60th).

Grifo Double Pack for Italy

European football champions Italy, who did not qualify for the World Cup, celebrated victory in a friendly before the end of the year thanks to a brace from Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo. Squadra Azzurra won 3-1 (2-1) against Albania in Tirana.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo (20′) and Grifo (25’/64′) scored for Italy with their third and fourth goals in seven internationals. Ardian Esmajli (16th) had given Albania the lead.

Kramaric’s goal cheers Croatia up

A goal from Bundesliga striker Andrzej Kramaric has won Croatia’s last friendly before the start of the World Cup. The striker for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim scored the decisive goal against Saudi Arabia in the 82nd minute in a 1-0 win. He was first substituted.

However, the team around midfield star Luka Modric struggled for long stretches of the game in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The outsider, who is also in the World Cup, missed two big chances in the second half. Bayern Munich right-back Josip Stanisic was also in Croatia’s starting XI.

The Croatians play Belgium, Canada and Morocco in Group F, while Saudi Arabia meets Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

Poland won thanks to Piatek’s goal

The Poles won their opening game against Chile with a difficulty of 1:0 (0:0). Krzysztof Piatek, on loan from Hertha BSC to Italian Serie A club US Salernitana, scored the goal of the day in the 85th minute. Poland national coach Czeslaw Michniewicz performed without Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) and Piotr Zielinski (SSC Napoli) in the starting XI in Warsaw on Wednesday.

mexico lost to sweden

The Mexican national team lost its last preparation game 1:2 against Sweden. Marcus Rohden (54th minute) and VfL Wolfsburg’s Mattias Swanberg (84th minute) scored the Swedish goals at the Estadio Montilivi in ​​Girona, Spain. Alexis Vega provided interim compensation (60th).

Tunisia’s victory over Iran

With Alois Scherri from Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln in the starting XI, Tunisia won their World Cup dress rehearsal. The 2004 African champions beat Iran 2–0 (0–0) in Ar-Rayyan/Qatar. Naeem Sliti (86′, penalty) and Ali Abdi (90′) scored.

Tunisia will make their World Cup debut against Denmark on 22 November. The other rivals in Group D are defending champions France and Australia. Irani will start the tournament against England on 21 November. USA and Wales completed Group B.

Source: sportschau.de