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. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Muslera
    Sanchez-Vertonghen-Marcelo-Otamendi
    Eriksen-LoCelso-Coutinho
    Jesus-Lukaku-Lewandowski(C)

    what do you thing? gtg?

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Lo celso not nailed so your cheapies better be starters. Like it though

  2. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    As an Argentina fan there is nothing funnier than waking up to see that Lopetegui was sacked. That Spain team is going to split into two camps. A breakdown of French proportions.

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

      From what Ive seen, they are all in the same camp named feck* Rubiales.

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

      Its a disruption but Spain will do well regardless of the who their coach is.

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

      As an Argentina fan maybe you have a gut feeling on Pavon vs Meza game time?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Meza to start according to most Argentine sources. Not my personal pick, but hey, great for fantasy 🙂

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

    RMT please

    El Kalouji (Uzoho)
    Pavard Kimmich Trippier Danilo (Hegazi)
    Muller J.Rod Meza (Nandez C.Sanchez)
    Lukaku Neymar Lewa

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Pavard nailed on?

    1. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      It looks like he'll be for the 1st game at least. Sidibe is a bit injured and did not play well during friendlies

    2. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I think it looks likely for the first game. Then we're just hoping for a good performance so he locks down the spot I suppose.

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

    Surpised to see people go Cavani over Lewandoski

    1. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Better team and fixtures swayed me but Lewa better player I agree.

  6. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 2:

    A) Coutinho
    B) James Rodriguez
    C) Mueller
    D) Eriksen

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

      B + C

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      BC

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks!

    3. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      AB

    4. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      BD

  7. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on this lot?

    Muslera - Uzoho
    Pavard - Meunier - Lovren - Varela - Hegazi
    Isco - Grosicki - Muller - Cueva - Colindres
    Werner - Cavani - Lukaku

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

      My mistake, Lovren is actually Trippier

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

      Finnaly some love for Grosicki, not bad, Lovren bound for yellow cards a 0 atking chances, would cut isco or muller and upgrade lovren and hegazi/pavard.
      Otherwise very nice ballanced team

  8. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So trying something different and going with a brazil back 3

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

    FIFA Fantasy.

    It is possible to change the name of the team ?

    Thanks

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

      I think so. Click into your profile settings and either click into team name box or there's an edit option for the name.

    2. The Hobbit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No I don’t think so

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

      Don't think so. You can change screen name

      I just deleted my account and started again

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

    Miranchuk. Is he nailed. See him in a lot of teams this days.

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

      No, but we will get the lineups before the deadline

  11. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Lack of Messi in teams is baffling.

    Iceland do concede a lot of goals.

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

      Are you genuinely baffled, though?

    2. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      nah, neymar is only a must

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

    Don't get the love for James Rodriguez ,
    Colombia are out of form and he has not scored many goals lately ?! Right ?!

  13. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT --- Planning on wildcarding after round 1

    Akinfeev - Uzoho
    Kimmich Meunier Pavard Granqvist Mojica
    Mueller J. Rodriguez Ziyach Nandez Golovin
    Smolov Jesus Lukaku

  14. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Presumably Hierro now being named head coach will mean nothing really changes for Spain?

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

      They'll play just as well and maybe fight harder for Lopetegui, not happy that he was sacked. Rightfully sacked though, what a clown. Could be a Saipan moment.

  15. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A. Messi + Belhanda + Nandez

    or

    B. Cavani + Ziyach + Cueva

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

      I only like Ziyach from that lot.

  16. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT -

    El kajoui (UZoho)

    Danilo Kimmich Trippier Meunir Vertonghen
    Coutinho Eriksen Belhanda Al-dawsari Inui
    Lukaku Lewadowski Cavani

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

    A) Isco & Danilo
    B) Ziyach & Marcello

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

      B if wc after md1,
      A for whole group stage

  18. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Considering Cavani>Lewandowski doesn’t seem like a poular move am I crazy?

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

      Stick with Cavani. See how it goes:)

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

    David on the Scoutcast saying it's difficult to spend money in midfield. I'm sitting here with an average midfielder price of 8.1m 😀

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What’s your team like Deu?

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

        Uzoho
        Kimmich Godin Mendy
        Eriksen, Coutinho, Willian, Aldawsari
        Jesus Mitrovic DeArrascaeta

        Diallo | JRod, Munier, Trippier

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          William is a ballsy pick! Like the triple Brazil though. Nice team.

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

          Actually, I'll likely get Pavard, so it'll be:

          Uzoho
          Kimmich Godin Danilo Pavard
          Eriksen, Coutinho, Willian, Aldawsari
          Mitrovic DeArrascaeta

          Diallo | Lukaku, JRod, Munier

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Do you think Mitro will do well?

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

        I think so. I wanted Rashford or Sterling, but in the end I realised that Mitrogoal is probably better value than both, certainly better than Rashford.

  20. Kalbory
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hazard or Muller?

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

      Muller is mid and Hazard is a forward? Better options than both.

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

      Different positions in the McD's game. Hazard isn't a bad option but takes up a forward spot, so Muller.

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

      I'm playing Sun Dream Team...

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

        Hazard.

  21. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    whats with pavard

    he will only start the first game?

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

      even if he does I don't expect it to perform well. All second/back up choices except Varane - completely new backline will take some time to get up and running

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

    Rate my team based on it's flexibility:

    El Kajoui - Uzoho
    Kimmich - Meunier - Granqvist - Varela - Idowu
    James - Eriksen - Ziyech - Ljajic - Meza
    Jesus - Lukaku - Lewandowski

  23. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A. Cavini + J.Rodriguez
    or
    B. Mbappe + Muller

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

      A

  24. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    GTG?

    Pickford
    Danilo Mendy Meunier Varela
    Coutinho Aldawsari Ziyach James
    Neymar Lukaku

    Uzoho Mitrovic Belhanda Sabaly

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

      Looks good. Personally would prefer to downgrade Neymar and upgrade either Sabaly or Ziyech. E.g. Neymar + Sabaly > Cavani + Kimmich

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

        Oops. Tripper instead of Kimmich

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I have Pickford, so maybe another 5.5?

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

            You can't sub a GK for a defender, so it doesn't matter that they play in the same team (on the same day) imo. Although, imagine if Pickford does a Robert Green (or a Pickford) and needs replacing for the second round...

      2. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not a bad idea. I guess I like having the tolerance to downgrade Neymar when/if I need to, to fund upgrades to Mitrovic or Sabaly. I don’t think having him has terribly unbalanced my team though - plus I have some options off the bench.

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

          Are you going to WC in the knockouts then? I'm not planning to use my transfers for anything in the group stages except to remove an injured or diabolical player. Likely, De Arra, Aldawsari or Pavard. Then WCin R3, most likely

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

    Milivojevic (srb) or Lo Celso (arg) ?

  26. Magic Hamster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Premium mids...pick one:

    A. Coutinho
    B. Paulinho
    C. Muller
    D. Di Maria
    E. Another midfielder in this price range. (I already have J.Rod)
    F. De Bruyne (I have Lukaku)
    G. Pogba

    I am currently on Muller but am having doubts based on what I have read here (and my own research) regarding his form of late. I already have Neymar and Kimmich in my team and plan to WC for round 3.

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      C. He's a forward that gets extra points for goals and clean sheets. His form might not be amazing but he has history of scoring in world cups.

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

        He sucked at Euro 2016. Worst German player.

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

      Gotta be Coutinho. He's magician mate!

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

    recommended midfielder under 6.5?

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

      Cueva

    2. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Look at Peru some good options at that price

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

      Cueva I think

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

    Anyone else feels like Jesus will get subbed around '60? Werner seems like much less of a risk tbh.

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

      Is that the same Werner who started only 2 of the last 4 Germany games?

  29. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Which is better?

    A. Trippier, Danilo, Muslera and Jesus
    B. Dalsgaard, Pavard, El Kajoui and Neymar

    Other defenders;
    Kimmich Meunier and Varela.

    Cheers.

    1. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A for me

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        No point in going through all that trouble for Neymar right?

  30. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Who misses out? I have ABC

    A) Messi
    B) Cavani
    C) Lukaku
    D) Griezmann

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, don't expect much from Griezmann.