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. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Alisson (Ryan)
    Godin Danilo Trauco (Kolarov, Hegazy)
    B.Silva Cueva J.Rodriguez Carrasco (Lo Celso)
    Griezmann D.Silva Jesus

    Thoughts?

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

    Belhanda nailed? Looks good value

    1. AA33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

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

      yep

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

    Uribe or Meza?

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

    what do you think of this?

    el kajoui uzoho
    kimmich meunier granqvist pavard sabaly/idowu
    james eriksen ziyach carrasco meza
    kaku cavani jesus

    cheers

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

      I like it. Not s fan of El Kajoui though unless you're wildcarding brfore round 2

  5. ChelseaKTBFF
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Where is all this trippier love coming from? (Not up to date on friendlies)

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

      He plays wing-back, England defence is solid and has good fixtures

      1. ChelseaKTBFF
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Is he nailed though? Is England going to play 3 at the back for sure?

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

          Definitely playing 3 at the back. I think he's nailed, some might say TAA is a threat but I don't think he is.

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

          yes

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

      WB, Can cross well and maybe some set pieces as well.

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

        Coach said he wants WBs on set pieces

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

    I can't believe this actually happened lol, sacking the manager a day before the world cup?!!

    1. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Politics

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

        #Lopetexit

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Huh?

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

      Insane

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

    Hey 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?

  8. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Coutinho or Isco?
    B) is Lo Celso a starter?
    C) de gea or allison?

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

      A) Coutinho
      B) I think soo
      C) Courtois

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

    Albert Celades (manager of Spain u21) and Fernando Hierro the two candidates to replace Lopetegui.

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

      Wait. Is Lopetegui not going to see through the World Cup? Bizarre!

  10. F4L
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Ramos should be made player manager

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

      Haha Pique would be straight on the bench if that happened

  11. ragsyboys
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    meunier , granqvist not in fox sports expected lineup. True?

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

      Just forget those lineups...

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

      They are both nailed on.

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

        this

  12. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Muslera goalkeeper anyone?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      yes. Uruguay seem to have one of, if not, the easiest group

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

      I've gone Schmeichel and Varela over Muslera and Dalsgaard to save 0.5

    3. JohnnyMagrinho
        5 years, 9 months ago

        100% from second group game onwards.

        Maybe right from the word go but if Salah starts there's always a chance he'll do something special.

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

        Yep. Loads. Good fixtures, solid defense.

    4. The real slim shady
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Any news on Özil? Will he play?
      He is super cheap in my local game.

    5. Moore FPL
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      0.5M ITB. What to spend it on?

      Caballero Szczesny
      Kimmich Meunier Godin Danilo Miranda
      Mueller Carrasco Cueva Kostic Celso
      Lukaku Jesus Mitroic

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

        Carrassco to Ziyech... you got Lukaku anyway

        1. Moore FPL
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks. Don't fancy Morocco's group much though.

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

        Spread it across that midfield 🙂

    6. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      How much do we really expect from this Nigerian GK in rd1?

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

        2 pointer

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

        3 pointer

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

        7 pointer (penalty save)

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

          this

    7. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I would just like to rule myself out of the Spain job. I believe I can do better. I'm after Jafooli's moderation rights.

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

        Me too as I have a dislocated shoulder atm

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        What’s going on? I’m at work.

        1. Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Spain manager sacked

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

      Final decision me finks?!! Which combo do you prefer? Thanks.

      A - El Kajoui, Godin, Kimmich.
      or
      B - Muslera, Danilo, Trippier.

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

        B.

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

        A

      3. Nesvy
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        i'm going B

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

        Gone B.

    9. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Any thoughts on this team pls ? 0.5m itb

      Pickford
      Kimmich Varela Meunier Mojica
      J.Rod Eriksen Coutinho
      Lukaku Jesus Werner

      Uzoho * Hegazi * Inui * Ndiaye

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

        Any confirmation on Mojica & Varela?

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

          both 90% nailed i said

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

            You have a source or just gut feeling?

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

              mojica as a 1st backup for fabra (injured), varela start to normal training yesterday

    10. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Paulinho or Marcelo? Price is no factor.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Marcelo

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

        Marcelo

    11. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone getting Smolov? If anyone scores for Russia it´s him.

    12. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hi to all.Thoughts on this team?

      -Muslera
      -Danilo-Godin-Dalsgaard-Meunier
      -Coutinho-Ljajcic-Aldawsari
      -Griezmann-Lukaku-Cavani

      ---Uzoho-Trippier--JayRod-C.Sanchez

      Thanks all.

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

      Changed my team for the gazillionth time today. How would you rate my latest effort?

      Akinfeev-Uzoho
      Maguire-Danilo-Hakimi-Godin-Sabaly
      James-Eriksen-Coutinho-Ljajic-Inui
      Jesus-Lewa-Lukaku

      A)Akinfeev -> to someone else
      B)Ljajic->Carrasco
      C)Inui too much of a punt, get someone who is more nailed.
      D)Something Else

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

        A) !!! unless wildcard after first round

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

      A) Belhanda

      or

      B) Meza

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

        A. More used to being part of the 1st team and being a big player.

    15. Aubameyyanngg
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      El Kajoui (Uzoho)
      Danilo Varela Trippier Akanji (Meunier)
      Eriksen Ziyach Meza Carrasco (Rodriguez)
      Cavani Jesus (Lukaku)

    16. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      a)Muslera + El Kahoui or
      b) Courtois + Uzoho

      a correct?

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

        A

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

        Of those, I guess, yess.

        But I'd personally get Uzoho + Muslera/ElKah/Diallo

    17. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Would you prefer Neymar or Coutinho...

      3Mil of a difference. Will Neymar be value for that?

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

        Who's on penalties?

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

        There're no baps, so Coutinho won't get punished for shots off target and Neymar doesn't get compensated for fewer points for goals. I think Coutinho could make a mockery of that 3M price difference with that extra point for goals and CSs. Hard to say with so few games and high variance. It means we can never retrospectively figure out the best option, let alone picking the best option BEFORE they play haha. But I think Coutinho is value, and Neymar is a luxury that takes spots from other, better value, Brazil (or non-Brazilian) players.

        1. Salah'd n Sauce
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Spectacular answer sir! I tip my hat.

    18. edgardavids
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ospina - Caballero
      Meunier - Kimmich - Godín - Trippier - Pavard
      James - Eriksen - Paulinho - Carrasco - Belhanda
      Jesus - Lukaku - Werner

      A) Good to go
      B) Belhanda > Jahanbakhsh
      C) Ospina + Caballero > Muslera / Lloris / Pickford + Uzoho

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

      Who is the Swedish gk?

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

        olsen

      2. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Ibrahimovic

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          was hoping it was Puma Swede....

      3. Leeds2116
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        magic hat janson

    20. Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hey guys

      Maccas proper one my first and only ask for advice.

      Thank you in advance

      Messi Neymar
      Ljajic Cueva Isco Muller Honda
      Granqvist Godin Tripper
      Cabellero

      Bench Uzoho Hegazy Sabaly Iwob

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

        The frontline are brighter than my future...

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

        Messi and Neymar abit strong up top...

        1. Leeds2116
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          too much?

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

      Schmeical (bench Keeper for bench boost) > Uzohu
      A)Belhanda > 6.5 mid
      B) Granqvist to 6.0 defender...

      Or C...Stick With schmeical Belhanda and Granqvist