FOOTBALL – Germany earned a 2-1 victory over World Cup co-hosts United States in their final warm-up match in Chicago yesterday, while there were also victories for Portugal and Belgium as teams fine-tune ahead of the tournament’s kickoff next week.
Portugal defeated Chile 2-1 in an ill-tempered clash in Oeiras where both teams finished with 10 men as Rafael Leao and Ivan Roman received their marching orders late in the first half following a brawl.
Goncalo Guedes gave the home side the lead before Bruno Fernandes added a second from outside the box.
Lucas Cepeda scored a late consolation for Chile.
Cristiano Ronaldo started for Portugal to extend his world record number of men’s international appearances to 227 but was one of six players replaced at halftime.
Striker Romelu Lukaku continued his comeback from injury for Belgium with 25 minutes off the bench as they enjoyed a 5-0 victory over 10-man Tunisia in Brussels.
It was the ninth win in a row for four-time world champions Germany, who are looking to restore their dented international reputation following shock first-round exits at the 2018 and the 2022 World Cups.
The Germans, who suffered a blow when teenager Lennart Karl was ruled out of the World Cup with a muscle injury in training on Friday, took the co-hosts by surprise with a strong start.
Kai Havertz found far too much space in the box and headed in Joshua Kimmich’s free kick to give them a second-minute lead.
The Americans gradually recovered as the visitors took their foot off the gas, and snatched a stunning equaliser when Antonee Robinson thundered in a volley in the 37th minute after defender Jonathan Tah had headed a corner away.
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