International friendlies roundup: Messi and Ronaldo in action before World Cup farewell | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo got their last minutes to prepare for their final World Cup tournament as England faced Costa Rica after rain and lightening delayed the friendly game by an hour.

Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Senegal were also in action tonight before Mexico and South Africa kick start the action at the Mexico City Stadium on Thursday evening, as the finals in the US, Canada, and Mexico edge closer.

FromTheSpot rounds up the action from the last international friendlies featuring World Cup teams before they take to the world stage.

England 3-0 Costa Rica: Gordon shines in delayed final warm-up game

Anthony Gordon scored and assisted in an encouraging display as England coasted to a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in their delayed final warm-up game before their World Cup opener against Croatia next Wednesday.

It was Thomas Tuchel’s responsibility this evening to dispel any concern England fans carried into the game after Saturday’s tepid 1-0 victory against New Zealand, the World Cup’s lowest ranked side, and he delivered on that front.

Declan Rice rolled in the opener to put the Three Lions in front, after kickoff was moved forward an hour, and they should have been two in front when Noni Madueke took the ball around the goalkeeper and hit the post.

Gordon deserved his goal that eventually came in the latter stages of the second half when he dispatched a penalty awarded handball, before substitute Ollie Watkins capped off England’s preparations with an easy header minutes before full time.

The Three Lions were just as dominant as they were at the weekend with 82% of the possession and managing to limit their opponents to just one shot on goal. Though they were poor, it’s a marked improvement to the frailty on show against New Zealand.

Alongside Manchester City target Elliot Anderson, Rice provided a solid midfield base that his country were desperately lacking last time out and found himself in the perfect place to steer England into the lead.

But it wasn’t quite as encouraging a display from Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers, who both missed chances that they would be expected to score nine times out of ten in the Premier League either side of the break.

It won’t do them any favors as Tuchel decided to leave his substitutes until late and formulate the starting line up to face his team’s World Cup nemeses Croatia next Wednesday.

Argentina 3-0 Iceland: Messi on target in final warm-up

Lionel Messi won’t have fond memories playing against Iceland at a World Cup, missing a penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw in Russia’s 2018 tournament, but it was smooth sailing this time around in the holders’ last friendly.

Valentin Barco powered home the opener from the edge of the box just eight minutes into proceedings before Messi added a second from the spot with just over a quarter of an hour left in the tie.

Atlético Madrid’s Thiago Almada rounded off a routine victory for La Albiceleste, ensuring they go into next Wednesday’s opening game against Algeria in a buoyant mood and on a run of eight consecutive friendlies won.

Portugal 2-1 Nigeria: Ronaldo wins but goes goalless again

Portugal will also head into the 2026 World Cup in fine form, beating Nigeria to earn a fourth victory in a row since their 9-1 dismantling of Armenia in the last qualifying match.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t amongst the goals in his second consecutive start since missing out on the demolition job due to serving his suspension after being dismissed in the 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, but may well be scoring again soon.

Instead it was Pedro Neto and 23-year-old Juventus midfielder Francisco Conceição who found the net either side of Akor Adams’ 37th-minute equalizer as Portgual look to give Ronaldo the perfect send off on his last attempt to win the tournament.

The 41-year-old, who has famously never scored in the knockout stages, skewed a big chance inside the penalty area well wide of goal but will likely fancy himself against the DR Congo next Wednesday before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Elsewhere

Venezuela were in action against Iraq before the MIddle Eastern nation’s tournament begins against dark horses Norway, and emerged 2-0 victors, with Toulouse striker Cristian Cásseres and Chuchu Ramírez on target for the nation ranked 49 in the world.

Nicholas Jackson saw red after receiving two yellow cards in Senegal’s goalless draw against FIFA Arab Cup semi-finalists Saudi Arabia, who will enter into their third World Cup appearance in a row when they take on Uruguay on the 15th of June.

Senegal open their tournament against another Francophone nation, in the form of tournament favourites France.