Pre-FIFA World Cup 2022 friendlies roundup

Here is a day by day breakdown of the warm-up games played by nations before the Qatar tournament

The FIFA World cup preparations are in full swing. With kickoff very soon, here's around off of all the action surrounding the national teams participating in Qatar.

Wednesday, 16th November 2022

Saudi Arabia 0-1 Croatia

Hoffenheim striker Andre Kramaric's late goal sunk Saudi Arabia in a tight contest. The game was evenly contested with both sides leaving no chances to take a shot on goal. The Saudis had 13 shots to 7 for Croatia. The Saudis kick off in Doah against Argentina on 22nd November 2022. Meanwhile, Croatia start their campaign against Morocco on 23rd November.

UAE 0-5 Argentina

Lionel Messi looks in red-hot form and well supported by his in-form teammates, .i.e Julian Alvarez, and Angel Di Maria, who all scored in the 0-5 rout of UAE in Abu Dhabi. Argentina hopes to carry the good form into the World Cup started against Saudi Arabia on 22nd November. However, injuries have affected their squad with Angel Correa & Thiago Almada replacing injured Nicolas Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa.

Iran 0-2 Tunisia

A penalty from Naim Sliti and Ali Abdi's effort gave the Carthage Eagles a 2-0 win in Doha on Wednesday after Iran defender Abolfazl Jalali was sent off. Tunisia begin their Group D campaign against Denmark on 22nd November 2022. While Iran start off against England on the 21st November.

Germany 1-0 Oman

Debutant Nicolas Fullkrug scored off the bench as Germany overcame a spirited Oman team, giving the Europeans a tough competitive evening. Germany controlled the whole game with 70% match possession and looked a bit sluggish to start with upfront. However, Fullkrug coming on for youngster Youssoufa Moukoko, changed the game around. They begin their campaign against Japan on Nov.23rd.

Poland1-0 Chile

Poland claimed a win in their pre-World Cup friendly clash with Chile as Krzysztof Piatek netted the winner in the 85th minute. The east European nation led by star Robert Lewandowski registered only 26% possession. However, the Barcelona striker was given a rest ahead of their opening game in Qatar against Mexico, scheduled for November 22.

Thursday, 17th November 2022

Mexico 1-2 Sweden

A late goal from Matias Svanberg was enough to see Sweden beat Mexico ahead of the 2022 World Cup. The Scandinavian side took the lead just after the break, but that lasted just six minutes. But it wasn't the ideal preparation for Qatar as Mexico were beaten with six minutes to play. Now the focus will be on their first game of the World Cup against Poland on November 22nd.

Switzerland 0-2 Ghana

Ghana beat the Swiss by two goals thanks to the contribution of two goals by Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu. They scored twice in the space of four second-half minutes to secure a convincing 2-0 win over Switzerland in their World Cup warm-up friendly in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The Black Stars kick off their campaigns on 24th November against Portugal. While Switzerland takes on Cameroon on the same day.

Japan 1-2 Canada

Canada rallied from behind and pulled off a late 1-2 victory over a weakened Japanese team, in Abu Dhabi. The Canadians were on the score sheet through Steven Vitoria 21 miuntes and Lucas Cavallini 90+5' for Canada, Japan's goal was scored by Yuki Soma, 9 minutes. Canada start off against Belgium on 24th November. Meanwhile, Japan start against Germany on 23rd November.

Jordan 1-3 Spain

Ansu Fati scored as Spain beat Jordan 3-1 in their final warmup game before the World Cup. Gavi and Nico Williams were also on target before Hamza Al-Dardour scored a late consolation for Jordan. Spain kick-off their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on 24rd November.

Morocco 3-0 Georgia

The Moroccan National Football team today warmed up well with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Georgia, proving the Atlas Lions’ readiness for the Qatar World Cup. The three Europe-based stars for Morocco were on the scoresheet with the likes of Youssef En-Neysri, Hakim Ziyech, and Sofiane Boufal on the scoresheet, at the Sharjah Football Stadium in UAE. They begin their campaign in Qatar against Croatia on 23rd November.

Friday, 18th November 2022

Portugal 4-0 Nigeria

Bruno Fernandes scored twice, besides Goncalo Ramos & Joao Mario being on the scoresheet for the Portuguese, in a thrashing of Nigeria in Lisbon. Cristiano Ronaldo missed out due to a stomach bug. There was also a debut for 19-year-old defender Antonio Silva ahead of the big tournament in Qatar. The Portuguese kick-off against Ghana on 24th November.

Cameroon 1-1 Panama

Cameroon scored first but spent much of the second half on the back foot as they drew 1-1 with Panama in a friendly international on Friday. Bayern's Eric Choupo Moting came off the bench to score for the African nation in Abu Dhabi. They start off against Switzerland on 24th November, in Doha.

Bahrain 1-5 Serbia

Serbia routed Bahrain by five goals as they look to be in fine fettle in a friendly ahead of their World Cup kick-off against fancied Brazil on 25th November in Qatar. Captain Dusan Tadic got a brace, while also on the scoresheet were Filip Djuricic, Dusan Vlahovic and Luka Jovic.

Belgium 1-2 Egypt

https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1593656470091988992

Belgium was beaten 2-1 by Egypt in a friendly international on Friday in Kuwait City as the much fancied World Cup-bound team lost to a Mohammed Salah-inspired Egypt. Mostafa Mohammed and David Trezeguet scored for the Africans while Belgium pulled one back through Lois Openda. The Red Devils would look to find some much-needed form ahead of their World Cup start against Canada on 24th November.