Argentina’s Lionel Messi (R) dribbles past Trinidad and Tobago’s Khaleem Hyland during their friendly match ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Buenos Aires on Wedensday. (Reuters)
Argentina, Uruguay and Chile secured relatively comfortable wins against lowly rivals in pre-World Cup friendlies on Wednesday, while Italy drew with Luxemburg and England also drew, but against fellow World Cup participants Ecuador.
Argentina beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 in Buenos Aires.
Rodrigo Palacio scored from a header in injury time of the first half off a cross from Angel Di Maria. Javier Mascherano made the most of a rebound behind the defence, after Lionel Messi hit the woodwork, to add a second soon after the break, and veteran midfielder Maxi Rodriguez made things 3-0 in the 64th minute.
Although they played without stars like Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, an Argentina side led by Messi comfortably dominated the match against their lowly visitors and had several more chances to score.
“In the first half I think Argentina could have scored seven or eight goals,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said.
“(Argentine players) had many chances and I generally don’t think the same thing would happen any other day, I am convinced that they will convert their chances.”
Messi noted that, despite the low level of play from the Caribbean team, there are similarities with what Argentina are likely to find in Brazil. “The match was helpful because the rival shut itself at the back, just like teams will do to play us in the first round of the World Cup. It was an important win,” he said.
Messi and company were set to play another friendly against Slovenia Saturday in La Plata, before travelling to their World Cup headquarters in Belo Horizonte. However, Sabella warned that he might preserve his starting men, after Palacio and defender Maritn Demichelis suffered minor injuries on Wednesday. “Friendlies are double-edged swords,” Sabella admitted. “The main thing, beyond the risks one takes, is that the players get to play together again and find a rhythm.”
Uruguay beat Slovenia 2-0 in Montevideo, in their last warm-up match before the upcoming World Cup. Star striker Edinson Cavani opened the scoring after 36 minutes of play, with Christian Stuani netting the hosts’ second goal in the 75th minute off a rebound. Uruguay were not at their best in the absence of their superstar striker Luis Suarez. In a party atmosphere before 50,000 fans, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica presented the team with banners and other national symbols ahead of Brazil 2014.
Ahead of the team’s trip to Brazil, coach Oscar Tabarez said that Uruguay - who came fourth in South Africa 2010 and won the Copa America two years later - “will be a difficult rival for anyone,” although he noted that results will also depend on their opponents. “We will go out to win every game,” Tabarez vowed.
Chile beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in a friendly in Valparaiso. The first half was far from impressive, but the Chileans brought on their big names after the break to make a difference. Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, Mauricio Pinilla and previously injured star midfielder Arturo Vidal all saw action.
Striker Vargas scored the first goal in the 78th minute, while Pinilla also found the back of the net four minutes after that.
Italy were held to a disappointing 1-1 by lively Luxembourg in Perugia, and were whistled off the field by some dejected fans. Claudio Marchisio gave Italy the lead in the ninth minute by heading in a cross from Mario Balotelli, but the hosts then missed chance after chance to put the game to bed.
Italy paid for their generosity five minutes from the end, when Luxembourg defender Maxime Chanot equalized by heading in a corner from Mario Mutsch.
The Azzurri depart late Thursday for their camp in Mangaratiba, a seaside town about 100 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro.
It was a similar story in Miami, where England were held 2-2 by defiant Ecuador, for whom supersub Michael Arroyo levelled 20 minutes from time.
Ecuador had Antonio Valencia sent off, then England youngster Raheem Sterling picked up a red card. Enner Valencia gave Ecuador an early lead, Wayne Rooney levelled for England then Rickie Lambert put the Three Lions ahead - only for Arroyo to give Ecuador a late draw.
England coach Roy Hodgson was left worried, after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injured his knee and doctors suspected ligament problems that might sideline him from the World Cup.
“My hope is that Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be seriously injured. He did ever so well and looked really sharp,” Hodgson said after the match. “It would be an enormous blow if we were to lose him.”
The Netherlands beat Wales 2-0 with goals from Arjen Robben and Jeremain Lens, while Algeria beat Romania 2-1 and Hungary edged Albania 1-0.