Major nations fine-tune squads in final friendlies before Qatar, with mixed results for star players.
The final countdown to Qatar 2022 delivered drama across multiple continents as football's heavyweights wrapped up their World Cup preparations with varying degrees of success.
Argentina opted to protect their crown jewel Lionel Messi, keeping the Paris Saint-Germain superstar on the sidelines during their clash with Honduras. The decision reflects La Albiceleste's careful management of their 35-year-old talisman ahead of what could be his final World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Brazil continued their impressive form with another convincing victory, showcasing the depth that makes them tournament favorites.
Portugal's preparations hit a snag when AC Milan winger Rafael Leao received his marching orders, raising concerns about squad discipline heading into the tournament. The Portuguese, who boast a strong connection to African football through players like William Carvalho and Raphaël Guerreiro, will need to maintain focus as they aim to improve on their Round of 16 exit in Russia 2018.
Germany and Belgium also secured positive results in their final tune-ups, with both European giants looking to bounce back from disappointing recent tournaments. As the world's attention turns to Qatar, these warm-up matches have provided valuable insights into which teams have hit their stride at the perfect moment and which still have work to do before the opening whistle.
