Scout Notes

Lukaku and Lewandowski net braces in final friendlies

Romelu Lukaku and Robert Lewandowski furthered their cases for inclusion in World Cup Fantasy squads with braces in their final warm-up matches.

Elsewhere, Japan’s modestly-priced differentials finally got a win under their new manager ahead of competing in Group H.

We’ve got all the goals and assists from the latest and final international matches before the World Cup begins.

BELGIUM 4-1 COSTA RICA

Romelu Lukaku scored twice and registered an assist as a strong Belgium team came from behind to thrash Costa Rica.

The Manchester United forward put the home side in front after Bryan Ruiz had netted Costa Rica’s opener and Dries Mertens had equalised. Eden Hazard provided the assist for Merten’s strike.

Mertens then became the provider in the 42nd minute when Lukaku scored his first of the night. Substitute Nacer Chadli registered the assist for his second.

Lukaku capped off his performance by assisting Michy Batshuauyi’s strike just after the hour.

BELGIUM XI (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Vertonghen, Boyata (Dendoncker 66’), Alderweireld; Carrasco, Witsel, De Bruyne (Tielemans 71’), Meunier (Chadli 46’); E Hazard (Dembele 70’), Mertens (Batshuayi 52’); Lukaku (T Hazard 65’).

COSTA RICA XI (3-4-2-1): Navas; Duarte, Gonzalez, Acosta; Oviedo (Calvo 46’), Tejeda, Borges (Azofeifa 76’), Gamboa (Smith 66’); Bolanos (Guzman 62’), Ruiz (Campbell 66’); Urena (Venegas 46’).

POLAND 4-0 LITHUNIA

Robert Lewandowski scored a brace in Poland’s thrashing of Lithuania to take his record to 37 goals in 37 games under national manager Adam Nawalka.

He fired in the opener after 19 minutes after a cross from defender Maciej Rybus before doubling the leading in the 32nd with a free-kick which hit the bar on its way in.

The Bayern Munich forward was substituted at half-time, replaced by Lukasz Teodorczyk, but Poland did not lose any potency going forward.

21-year-old Dawid Kownachi made it 3-0 in the 71st minute with his first international goal since earning a call-up to the senior team.

Jakub Blaszczykowski rounded off the rout in the 82nd minute converting a penalty in the absence of Lewandowski.

Lukasz Fabianski started the game in goal but was replaced by Wojciech Szczesny at half-time.

POLAND XI (4-4-1-1): Fabianski (Szczesny 46’); Rybus (Blaszczykowski 70’), Cionek, Bednarek (Pazdan 53’), Jedrzejczyk (Piszczek 46’); Kownacki, Goralski, Krychowiak (Zielinski 77’), Bereszynski; Milik; Lewandowski (Teodorczyk 46’).

JAPAN 4-2 PARAGUAY

Shinji Kagawa was the star of the show as Japan got their first win under new manager Akira Nishino.

The midfielder started his first match in any competition since February.

Paraguay took the lead when Oscar Romero converted Antonio Bareiro’s pass in the 32nd minute and went into half-time still in the lead.

A 12-minute brace from Takashi Inui got things back on track for Japan, with former Manchester United man Kagawa providing the assist for both goals.

The Samurai Blue extended their lead in the 77th minute when Gaku Shibasaki’s corner was deflected into the net by Federico Santander.

Richard Ortiz pulled one back for the visitors in the 90th minute but Kagawa got his deserved goal in stoppage time to round the scoring off.

Shinji Okazaki enjoyed a rare start and played 74 minutes while regular at the back Maya Yoshida was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere left-back Hiroki Sakai, who has three assists in the build-up to the World Cup, missed out on a starting place again but did feature as a second-half substitute.

JAPAN XI (4-2-3-1): Higashiguchi (Nakamura 46’); G Sakai, Shoji, Ueda, Endo (H Sakai 46’); Yamaguchi, Shibashaki; Inui (Usami 79’), Kagawa, Muto (Osaka 64’); Okazaki (Haraguchi 74’).

SENEGAL 2-0 SOUTH KOREA

Moussa Konate’s second-half penalty sealed Senegal’s first win since their World Cup qualification campaign ended in November.

The defeat was Korea’s third in their last five matches, having also only won just once since booking a place in Russia.

Senegal took the lead in the 67th minute after Kim Young-gwon turned into his own net.

Both Sadio Mane and Son Heung-min started the match for their respective nations and both lasted the full 90 minutes.

SENEGAL XI (4-4-2): K N’Diaye; Koulibaly, Sabaly, Sane, Wague; Sakho, Kouyate, A N’Diaye, Sarr; Mane, Niang (Konate 46’).

SOUTH KOREA XI (4-4-2): Cho; Jang, Kim Y-G, Kim M-W, Lee Y; Son, Koo, Ki, Lee J-S; Lee S-W, Kim S-W.

Further Analysis

Our comprehensive World Cup guide can be found here.

Group A Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group BIran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain

Group CAustralia, Peru, France, Denmark

Group DArgentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Group EBrazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia

Group FMexico, Germany, Sweden, South Korea

Group GBelgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

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.

World Cup Data
We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, which begins on June 14 but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer previewing the World Cup content below…

1,230 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Uribe nailed for Colombia? Seems like a decent pick

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm interested too

    2. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      3 starts in a row - good as anyone!

    3. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Is he attacking? I'm struggling to decide between him, Meza, Layun and Belhanda. I'm on Meza atm

      1. ludaslol
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        11 goals in 30 games as a midfielder in Mexican league I think

        1. ludaslol
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Havent played that much for Colombia tho

  2. anish10
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Get rid of Isco ?!

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Great question...

  3. SW6
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Spain doing a France at the World Cup

  4. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    This Miranchuk fella or Ljajic?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He's likely not to start for Russia but check the lineups tomorrow then decide. He could be playing up front apparently

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ljajic defo...

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ljajic. Check the recent friendlies, has form.

    4. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If Ljajic is fit he's a no-brainer for the first two.

      Control + find Ljajic. He had a goal and two assists but should have had more.

      http://www.skysports.com/football/serbia-vs-bolivia/live/389378

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Is he a doubt?

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Didn't train yesterday, but expected to train today

    5. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks y'all!

  5. Kolarov Fpl Legend
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What do you think guys?
    Any changes to improve this team?

    El Kajoui

    Meunier, Danilo, Trippier, Varela, Dalsgaard

    Eriksen, JRod

    Lukaku, Cavani, Werner

    Bench: Uzoho; Ziyach, Ljaic, AlDawsari.

    Order will be different of course.

  6. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Repost Rmt Please... feel pretty set on this(Bench boost this round and Wildcard for round 2)

    Greizmann Cavani Lukaku
    Eriksen Rodriquez Mezza Nandez Belhanda
    Varela Muenier Trippier Granqvist Pavard
    Courtois Schmeical

    Any thoughts?

    1. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Downgrade one of your keepers to a 4.0 and use the money elsewhere

  7. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Well that's Isco out of the team then

  8. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Appreciate rating of this squad. Thanks

    Muslera Uzoho
    Danilo Mendy Varela Mojica Sabaly
    JRod Müller Eriksen Belhanda Aldawsari
    Lukaku Jesus Cavani

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Good team, I would only change Müller.

      1. UshFPL
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Why? Who do you prefer at that price other than JRod and Eriksen?

        1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Maybe Coutinho, and then Jesus > Werner.

          1. InvertedWinger
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I did those two moves the reverse way. Removed Coutinho and Werner for Muller and Jesus.
            Muller just looks like he's getting in the box a lot in recent games

  9. azz007
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    no one has perisic. major difreential thoights?

    Cavani - Perisic- Kaku
    JRod - Coutinho - Mueller (Ndiyae , Sanchez)
    Kimmich - Danillo - Varela - Hegazy (Menuir)
    Kajool (Uzoha)

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I would have him if he was a midfielder - like in the Euros

    2. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah he's definitely a decent option

    3. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Tough group and it's not like he's cheap.

    4. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Prefer Mandzukic - 10 goals in qualifying

  10. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Do we think that decision changes Spain's fortunes in this world cup

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Of course

  11. samaael
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    why no love for kostic anymore? not nailed on???

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yep

    2. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      don't know about his form in the national team but in bundesliga this season he was shockingly bad

  12. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    This Inui guy nailed on?

    Al Dawsari -> Inui helps me massively

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Nope but if you have him on your bench you'll get teams before deadline that day so can decide whether to sub him on or not

  13. Kambo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Willian?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe - I'm torn

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I was considering but Douglas Costa is breathing down his neck

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Where've you got that from PH? 🙂

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          One of the articles I've read. Says he starts but Costa could get minutes as they pushing for same spot

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Fair enough. He got 80 and 90 in the last two friendlies. But there's always a Q mark...

            1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              He's still tempting. Don't always belive what I read

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                🙂

    3. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going for him.

  14. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hopefully Asensio becomes an option with a new manager coming in.

  15. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft

    Caballero Uzoho
    Kimmich Danilo Varelo Hegazy Spajic
    Belhanda Coutinho Muller Isco Inui
    Cavani Griezmann Werner

    Thx

  16. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    spent ~100 hours to get this team, please rate it:

    Muslera / Uzoho

    Meunier / Godin / Trippier / Danilo / Mendy

    Eriksen / J.Rodriguez / Carrasco / Cueva / Nandez

    Lukaku / Jesus / Smolov

    0 in the bank

    Plan: wild card before GW3.

    The idea is to get a very balanced team due to substitution rules. Players to caption:
    day 1: Smolov

    day 2: Godin

    day 3: Eriksen

    day 4: Jesus

    day 5: Lukaku

    day 6: J.Rodriguez

    day 7: Smolov

    day 8: Godin

    day 9: Eriksen

    day 10: Jesus

    day 11: Lukaku

    day 12: J.Rodriguez

    The main question is if Smolov for 8.0m is a good idea? He is the only one I can give the armband in the first day of round 1 and round 2.

    1. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Other than Smolov, very nice. You've got plenty of captaincy options without him

  17. tricky80
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Seriously short sighted by Spanish FA, sack the head coach less than 48 hours before you kick off your campaign?! Madness!

    May dump Spanish players from the squad now...

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Good on them to be fair . The guy broke contract .Showing who's boss I guess.

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yep - you can't just sign an extended contract and then break it as soon as a better offer comes along. Let alone make it public without giving notice

      2. tricky80
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        As an England fan it's great! Just seems odd that given all the planning they'd rather go with a newcomer than (compromised) continuity.

  18. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Muslera and Belhanda
    b) Uzoho and Ziyach

    given that BB will be played lads!

    1. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A.)

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A.

  19. SuperMario
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone come across any predictor excel/ posts on Twitter or the likes with predicted scores for each game of the WC??

    Have done a work competition and would be ideal to compare to before submitting.

    Thanks in advance if anybody can help..

  20. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any good?
    Lloris
    Meunier Godin Danilo
    Hazard Muller Jrod Eriksen
    Jesus Lukaku Messi

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Bench?

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Rubbish I'm guessing

    2. azz007
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      bench will be none existent looking at that team

  21. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best midfielder for 5.5 or under?

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Belhandabfor, AlDawsari...

      1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        *Belhanda

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Layun for me

  22. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Lewandowski being criminally overlooked

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Thinking the same, especially in that group...

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Plus England in the knockout round. Guaranteed goals

    2. VS10_
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yep. Just not sure if I can fit him in. Maybe with GW3 wildcard when Poland likely still has to go for it while bigger teams are able to rotate.

    3. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I can only swap him for Werner. And i don't wanna loose my only jerry.

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I'd make thay swap in a heartbeat myself.

        1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          You think Werner won't do good?

  23. Roosta
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Do we have any clue who will be in goal for Senegal and Egypt?

  24. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    9.5 to spend on a keeper and defender. Any thoughts?

    Uzoho - ?
    Kimmich - Meunier - Varela - ? - Idowu

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Schmeichel Pavard

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        seriously concerned about Pavard - why all the love recently?

        1. Meinhoff
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Sidibe is injured, rumours he's out of the WC. Plus, French journos think Pavard is better than Sidibe

      2. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not Schmeichel as plays on same day as Uzoho.

        1. Meinhoff
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Ah yes, Akinfeev or Caballero then

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Akinfeev and Hakimi?

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Navas & Mojica (Pavard if Sidibe defo ruled out).

    4. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Granqvist and that Peru goalie.

  25. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT?

    Akinfeev-Uzoho
    Danilo-Maguire-Hakimi-Godin-Sabaly
    Coutinho-Eriksen-James-Carrasco-Inui
    Lukaku-Jesus-Lewandowski

    Any comments? Seems okay, but feel like perhaps a German is a must? Or perhaps an attacking full-back like Meunier or Kimmich as must?

  26. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Fantasy football aside, I'm not sure there's ever been as many players with the talent and form to utterly explode and score obscene numbers of goals at a World Cup before. I mean:

    Ronaldo
    Messi
    Neymar
    Salah
    Lewandowski
    Suarez
    Lukaku
    Griezmann

    Even Harry Kane...

    Not to mention:

    Jesus
    Aguero
    Cavani
    Mbappe
    Werner

    This could be a phenomenal tournament.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Agree, but you forgot to mention RLC

  27. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Caballero, Muller & Jesus
    B) El Kajoui, Eriksen & Jesus
    C) El Kajoui, Coutinho & Werner

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B for me.

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B.)

  28. Viiksisika
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hello guys! Do you have any thoughts about my latest iteration?

    Uzoho | Al-Muaiouf
    Meunier | Guerreiro | Trippier | Sabaly | Idowu
    JRodriguez | Coutinho | Muller | Isco | Al-Dawsari
    Mbappe | Messi | Sarr

    For me Sabaly, Idowu and Sarr are nailed. Only concern is Al-Muaiouf and maybe Isco. Thoughts?

  29. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Mbappe or Jesus(got Coutinho)

    B) One of the above + Eriksen or Neymar+Cueva?

    Ty!

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus Eriksen

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have E+J so i would say those.

  30. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please.

    Pickford Uzoho
    Meunier Danilo Mendy Tagliafico Varela
    JRodriguez Muller Cueva Meza Belhanda
    Lukaku Cavani Jesus