There were disappointing performances for Russia and Serbia in the latest round of World Cup warm-up games.
Meanwhile, Morocco recorded another victory as they prepare to participate in a tough Group B draw.
We’ve got all the goals and assists you need to know about here.
RUSSIA 1-1 TURKEY
World Cup hosts Russia were restricted to another disappointing result in their final warm-up match on Tuesday night, and go into June 14’s opener against Saudi Arabia without a win in seven.
There was encouragement from a Fantasy perspective, though, as key target Alexandr Samedov scored Russia’s only goal of the game. The Spartak Moscow midfielder has now contributed to 11 goals in the 18 matches since Euro 2016, more than any compatriot. Four of those he has scored himself, the other seven were assisted by him.
Alan Dzagoev made just his third start for the national team since August, having suffered a series of hamstring problems this season. The 27-year-old made a claim for holding onto the berth by providing the assist for Samedov’s goal but was replaced by Aleksei Miranchuk on the hour-mark.
Yunus Malli’s 59th minute equaliser means that it is now 10 matches without a clean sheet for Russia, further discouraging Fantasy managers from investing in their defence during the World Cup.
Turkey, who have not qualified for this summer’s finals, dominated the match registering more possession (57%) and shots on goal (nine) than their hosts.
RUSSIA XI (3-4-2-1): Akinfeev; Ignashevich, Kutepov, Smolnikov (Fernandes 77’); Zhirkov, Gazinskiy (Kudryashov 76’), Zobnin (Kuzyaev 94’), Samedov (Anton Miranchuk 87’); Golovin, Dzagoev (Aleksei Miranchuk 60’), Smolov.
SERBIA 0-1 CHILE
Serbia were defeated by a youthful Chile outfit on Monday night, although several key players were rested for their first World Cup warm-up game.
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic came on at half-time while Southampton’s Dusan Tadic was used as a 65th minute substitute.
The Serbians were close to registering a 0-0 draw but centre-back Guillermo Maripan headed home a winner in the 88th minute.
Aleksandar Mitrovic played the majority of the game up front and was denied a penalty following an Erick Pulgar challenge.
Elsewhere there were starts for Liverpool’s Marko Grujic, Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic and Roma full-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
SERBIA XI (4-2-3-1): Stojkovic; Kolarov (Rodic 80’), Tosic, Milenkovic, Rukavina; Milivojevic (Matic 46’), Grujic; Radonjic (Kostic 64), Ljajic (Milinkovic-Savic 46’), Zivkovic (Tadic 65’), Mitrovic (Jovic 84’).
MOROCCO 2-1 SLOVAKIA
Morocco recorded their seventh win from a possible nine on Monday night as Slovakia were dispatched 2-1 in Geneva.
Our Fantasy key target Hakim Ziyech delivered again, providing an assist for substitute Ayoub El Kaabi’s 64th minute goal.
Younes Belhanda scored the winner in the 74th minute.
Slovakia’s Jan Gregus was just the third player to score against Morocco this season, but the Atlas Lions are still on a run of seven clean sheets in ten matches.
MOROCCO XI (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Mendyl (Harit 46’), Saiss (da Costa 46’), Benatia, Hakimi; Boussoufa (Fajr 76’), El Ahmadi (Ait Bennasser 83’); Ziyech (Carcela 75’), Belhanda, N Amrabat, Boutaib (El Kaabi 60’).
World Cup Previews by Team
Group A – Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group B – Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain
Group C – Australia, Peru, France, Denmark
Group D – Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E – Brazil, Switzerland
Our editor’s Fantasy World Cup tips as told to Proper Sport
FANTASY ITEAM
Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.
Click here for details and here to sign up.
Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.
Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.
