The last FIFA international window before World Cup rosters are finalized closed Tuesday, leaving 32 coaches to consider the personnel and direction of their Russian-bound national teams.
Most played two friendlies between March 19 and 27, a spell in which primary leagues went dark and all players were available to represent their countries. While the results were inconsequential, they did offer some insight and answer lingering questions — or, in some cases, raise fresh ones — before provisional rosters are submitted May 14 and final lists three weeks later.
There were clear winners and losers in this final surge of activity. Here are five in each category:
WINNERS
Brazil is always among the favorites, and with one defeat in 19 matches since Tite was appointed the coach in September 2016, it is rounding into form. Utilizing the same starting lineup, Selecao scored three time in a 13-minute burst to thump Russia, 3-0, in Moscow and gave a well-rounded performance in defeating reigning champion Germany, 1-0, in Berlin.
The latter result exacted a small dose of revenge for the 7-1 catastrophe against the Germans in the 2014 semifinals, but more importantly, provided a psychological boost heading into the World Cup.
The Brazilians functioned without Neymar, the superstar attacker sidelined with a broken foot. The injury cast initially doubt on his World Cup ambitions and, by extension, Brazil’s hopes, but he night return to Paris Saint-Germain in a few weeks.
Spain probably would have been satisfied with the 1-1 away draw full-strength Germany in Düsseldorf. And then this happened: Spain 6, Argentina 1.
Lionel Messi was absent from Argentina’s lineup because of a minor muscle ailment, but that does not explain six goals against the 2014 runner-up. Spain was in tune and ambitious, pressing the opponent and efficiently finishing opportunities. Real Madrid midfielder Francisco Alarcon, widely known as Isco, scored three times.
Eyed warily because of advancing age among its core players, Spain now looks like a threat to make a deep run in Russia. It is unbeaten since the 2016 European Championship, a 13-0-5 stretch.
Belgium played just once, predictably thumping second-class Saudi Arabia, 4-0, to extend an unbeaten streak to 12-0-4 and maintain the role as Group G favorite ahead of England.
Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku connected twice, extending his scoring streak with the national team to six matches and raising his total in that time to 10. Just 24, he now shares the Belgian scoring record (30). In all competitions, Lukaku has scored in 10 of his past 16 appearances (13 goals).
Beyond the sport’s giants, Belgium is the one semi-outsider that could pose a threat to reach the World Cup final because of high-end players, such as Lukaku, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
Colombia stumbled to the finish line last year in South American qualifying, but a 3-2 victory at France lifted its outlook. Trailing by two after 26 minutes, the Colombians answered with three goals over 57 minutes. A 0-0 draw with Australia, tarnished by a failed late penalty kick on neutral grounds in London, dampened the mood a bit. Nonetheless, Colombia appears poised to win a World Cup group without a decisive favorite; Poland, Japan and Senegal are the others.
Peru had not qualified for the World Cup since 1982, but judging by recent results, it is beaming with confidence and unfazed by the long absence. Facing Russian-bound teams in front of pro-Peruvian crowds at U.S. venues, the South American side defeated full-strength Croatia, 2-0, in Miami and slammed Iceland, 3-1, in Harrison, N.J.
LOSERS
With Messi on the field, Argentina nearly missed out on a World Cup berth. Without him, preparations are faltering. In attendance for the Spain fiasco, the maestro ducked out of public view as the deficit grew. Coach Jorge Sampaoli is on the hot seat not only for that result but for not summoning Paulo Dybala, a 24-year-old forward with 18 goals for Juventus this season and 38 over three years.
As injuries and defeats pile up, Russia is looking less and less likely to survive more than three or four games in the first major tournament the country has hosted. Home defeats to Brazil and France by a combined 6-1 extended the winless streak to five. The only reason for optimism is a weak group: Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Since last fall, Panama has basked in the glow of qualifying for the first time. Reality, though, is beginning to set in. A respectable 1-0 defeat at Denmark was followed by a 6-0 destruction at Switzerland. The margin was four at halftime and six midway through the second half. Belgium, England and Tunisia are sharpening their knives.
Australia rebounded from a 4-1 thrashing at non-qualifier Norway by holding Colombia to a scoreless draw, but with France, Peru and Denmark on the horizon, the Socceroos are staring at another winless group foray.
No matter what transpired in the recent window, Iceland was going to keep its place as a World Cup darling. But a 3-0 defeat to Mexico and 3-1 setback against Peru raised questions about its capacity to escape rugged Group D (Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria).
