International Friendlies: Argentina, Uruguay and Netherlands record victories, England and Italy held to disappointing draws
Goals from Arjen Robben and Jeremain Lens led Nethelands to a comfortable 2-0 victory over a Wales side that was missing two of its biggest stars in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. The game however will leave Louis van Gaal with more worries than elation as Robin van Persie had to be withdrawn at half-time due to an injury scare.
Van Persie, whose second half-of the season for Manchester United had been largely curtailed because of nagging injuries, will now be the subject of most concern as Netherlands begin their campaign on the 13th of June in Salvador against defending champions, Spain.
Meanwhile in Buenos Aires, hosts Argentina took Trinidad and Tobago for a ride as they crushed the Carribean side 3-0. The game was more of an exhibition for the hosts as they had the game by scruff of its neck for the whole ninety minutes. Lionel Messi and co. opened up Trinidad and Tobago at will, only to spurn away opportunities one after the other.
Rodrigo Palacio opened the scoring for the Argentines in the first-half with a header. Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez were on the mark for the Argentines in the second half to help them ease past their hapless opponents.
Two other big names heading into the competition didn’t have so much luck as both England and Italy were held to disappointing stalemates.
In Miami, England’s defensive frailties were exposed time and again as they ended up conceding two goals to Ecuador en route to a stuttering draw. The English made a valiant comeback after falling behind early to an Enner Valencia header. Wayne Rooney’s strike in the 29th minute brought England back into the game. New Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert’s then found the back of the net in the 51st minute to hand England the initiative.
The English back five however weren’t able to hold on as Michael Arroyo restored parity with a superb strike in the 70th minute.
The game however was yet to provide more fireworks as Antonio Valencia and Raheem Sterling(who had just come on in 65th minute) were given their marching orders after a scuffle broke out on the 79 minute mark.
England’s day was further dampened when another of their young guns had to be taken off the field and this time due to an injury. Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced off after sustaining a knee injury, the extent of which is yet to be known.
The Azurri meanwhile were embarrassed by lowly Luxembourg in Verona. The hosts took an early lead courtesy Claudio Marchisio but failed to extend their early advantage as the post denied the 2006 champions twice in the game.
The disappointing night for the Azzuri was brought to climax in the 85th minute as Maxine Chanot gave the visitors an unlikely equalizer. There were no last minute heroics from the Italians as the game gave Luxembourg a night to remember.
In other games, crowd violence and disorder marked Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Romania in Carouge. The teams had to be taken off the field on 43 minutes as a restless crowd threw bottles and lit flares on to the pitch.
Playing in their home turf at Montevideo, Uruguay cruised to a 2-0 victory over Slovenia courtesy of goals from goals from Edinson Cavani and Chirthian Stuani.