Argentina’s attacking stars failed to find a way through a resilient Romania outfit in a surprising goalless draw in Bucharest on Wednesday night, according to Sky Sports. Despite the much-vaunted trio of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero starting up front, the South American side drew a blank against the underdogs, with Barcelona’s Messi conspicuous by his lack of influence on the game an unsatisfied with the playfield condition, as he stated after the match. With less than 100 days to go until the World Cup, boss Alejandro Sabella may be slightly concerned that a team that may well be his first choice XI in Brazil struggled to break down a side that failed to qualify for this summer’s extravaganza, Sky Sports reports.
Romania had good opportunities with Alexandru Maxim introducing the ball in the net, but the goal was cancelled for a previous out.
Romanian coach Victor Piturca was satisfied with the result and stated that the newly elected Federation president Razvan Burleanu congratuleted him and reconfirmed him as national team coach. “I don’t like changing coaches”, said Burleanu (29) who on Wednesday night surprinsingly won the elections for the head of the Romanian Footbal Federation (FRF)
Spain 1-0 Italy
Also on Wednesday night, FC Barcelona’s Pedro Rodríguez made the difference with a 63rd-minute winner in Madrid in what was a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2012 final.
France 2-0 Netherlands
Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi scored in the first half as France got the better of a youthful Netherlands side.
Germany 1-0 Chile
Mario Gotze struck the first-half winner for Joachim Low’s men who were made to cling on by the battling South Americans.
England 1-0 Denmark
Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal eight minutes from time after impressive resistance from visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Portugal 5-1 Cameroon
Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 49 goals after opening and closing the scoring in a comfortable 5-1 friendly win against fellow FIFA World Cup finalists Cameroon in Leiria.
Other results in friendlies: Greece 0-2 S. Korea, Algeria 2-0 Slovenia, Andorra 0-3 Moldova, Austria 1-1 Uruguay, Azerbaijan 1-0 Philippines, Bulgaria 2-1 Belarus, Cyprus 0-0 Northern Ireland, Czech Republic 2-2 Norway, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 2-1 Latvia, Georgia 2-0 Liechtenstein, Hungary 1-2 Finland, Israel 1-3 Slovakia, Kazakhstan 1-1 Lithuania, Luxembourg 0-0 Cape Verde Islands, Montenegro 1-0 Ghana, Poland 0-1 Scotland, Republic of Ireland 1-2 Serbia, Turkey 2-1 Sweden, Ukraine 2-0 United States, Wales 3-1 Iceland.
