World Cup football warm-up matches

TWO arch-rivals of world football played a couple of friendly matches before the World Cup football in Russia. Hot favorites Brazil beat Germany by a solitary goal, but Argentina conceded an embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Spain. Brazilin star Gabriel Jesus scored the winning goal as his team avenged a humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in 2014 World Cup. So far, 20 World Cup tournaments were won by eight teams with Brazil winning five of them and it is the only team to have played in all those tournaments.

Germany fought neck to neck, but as they failed to capitalise on the chances offered to them and penetrate the defence of the Brazilian goalkeeper. Defeat against Argentina, who was without injured Lionel Messi, will surely haunt them in their dreams.

Mohammed Sohel Hara

Bonosree, Dhaka

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