Pogba improves in France draw
LYON: Paul Pogba put in an improved performance but France looked flat in a 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against the United States in Lyon on Saturday. Julian Green gave the US, who failed to make it to Russia, the lead on the stroke of halftime but teenage starlet Kylian Mbappe equalised for the hosts.
Pogba had been jeered a week ago in a 3-1 victory over Italy but it was his pass that teed up Mbappe to save face for the Euro 2016 finalists in a match they were expected to win.
SPAIN FAIL TO IMPRESS
KRASNODAR: Spain laboured to a narrow 1-0 victory over Tunisia in an underwhelming World Cup warm-up in Krasnodar on Saturday. The 2010 champions remain unbeaten under coach Julen Lopetegui, who took over 20 matches ago after the Roja’s elimination from Euro 2016 in the last 16 at the hands of Italy.
Iago Aspas scored the only goal against fellow World Cup qualifiers Tunisia seven minutes from the end. But Lopetegui’s search for a consistent centreforward was made no clearer despite a solid showing from Brazil-born Diego Costa.
The Atletico Madrid forward set up Aspas’s winner and was a nuisance throughout for the Africans’ defenders. Spain dominated the ball but allowed Tunisia some scoring chances.
SWEDEN HELD BY PERU
STOCKHOLM: Sweden drew another blank as fellow World Cup contenders Peru held them to a frustrating scoreless draw in their final warm-up game on a sun-drenched evening in Gothenburg.
The Swedes failed to find the net in Stockholm against Denmark last Saturday, and once again they struggled in front of goal as Sebastian Larsson celebrated his 100th cap by captaining Janne Andersson’s side.
LUCKY WIN FOR AUS
BUDAPEST: Australia coach Bert Van Marwijk will have a lot to ponder after his side laboured to a 2-1 win over Hungary in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Saturday. The Socceroos looked lethargic in the first half and had goalkeeper Mathew Ryan to thank for keeping the score level at halftime after some good saves to deny the hosts. “First half was poor, we made a lot of mistakes, we ran too much with the ball. We weren’t patient enough, also we had technical issues...,” Marwijk said. “OK, we did not concede and we (have) worked hard in the recent weeks - the players are tired.”