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Brazil, Argentina, England win warm-ups

Argentina, a two-time WC champion, has drawn into the toughest group of the year with Netherlands, Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast.

Published on: Jun 01, 2006 12:19 PM IST
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Argentina, England, the Czech Republic and Tunisia got ready for the World Cup with wins. Host Germany wasn't as lucky, settling for a 2-2 draw with Japan.

HT Image
HT Image

Defending World Cup champion Brazil also played, beating Swiss club FC Lucerne 8-0. Ronaldo and Adriano scored two goals each. Argentina edged Angola 2-0, getting goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin, while England beat Hungary 3-1. Steve Gerrard, John Terry and Peter Crouch scored for the English team.

Also, the Czechs edged Costa Rica 1-0, Tunisia beat Belarus 3-0, Ivory Coast was held to a 1-1 draw by Chile and Poland lost to Colombia 2-1. In a friendly with two non-qualifiers, Uruguay beat Libya 2-1.

Rodriguez gave the Argentines the lead in the 28th minute off a pass from Sorin. Argentina made it 2-0 in the 36th when Sorin added another goal.

Lionel Messi came on as a substitute in the 63rd and had a chance to score in the 88th but sent his shot wide.

Angola had an early chance to score but Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri saved a powerful shot from Mendonca from the edge of the area.

Argentina, a two-time World Cup champion, was drawn into the toughest group at this year's tournament with The Netherlands, Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast.

The match also marked the international debut of Theo Walcott, who became England's youngest-ever international at 17 years, 75 days when he came on in the 65th minute, breaking Wayne Rooney's record. He nearly scored in the 88th but his shot went wide. Pal Dardai made it 2-1 by scoring for Hungary in the 55th.

England plays in Group B at the World Cup in Germany with Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

In Leverkusen, Germany scored two late goals to rally to a 2-2 draw with Japan.

 
Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.
Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.
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