Franck Ribery to miss World Cup with back injuryFriendly Highlights: Romelu Lukaku scores fourth goal in two games for BelgiumFriendly Highlights: Samuel Eto’o nets in Germany drawFriendly Highlights: First international goal for rising French star Antoine Griezmann
Ballon d’Or runner up left fighting for his World Cup dreams
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is, according to French teammate Olivier Giroud, both angry and worried about his current injury hell, with the 31-year-old on the verge of being ruled out of the World Cup due to an ongoing back problem.
The attacker, who finished third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi in the 2013 Ballon d’Or, has missed both of France’s two friendly matches over the past few weeks, and there are real concerns that he will not be fit for the finals, with France’s opening match against Honduras just thirteen days away.
Giroud, who scored a stunning brace in last week’s 4-0 warm-up win over Norway, has revealed that his teammate is struggling to contain his frustrations,
“He has started to become angry,” Giroud is quoted as saying by L’Equipe. “He is worried and concerned about his situation.”
“We must help him hold on and be patient. When I’m injured for three days, I lose it. It is on the eve of the World Cup.”
Sweden 0-2 Belgium: Lukaku lashes in yet another beauty
Marginalised Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku scored yet again for Belgium in last night’s 2-0 win over Sweden, as Marc Wilmots side continue to warm-up nicely for Brazil 2014.
Lukaku, 21, swept a lovely curling shot past the despairing Isaksson in the Swedish goal, with the young striker adding a fourth goal to his friendly tally, having scored a hat-trick last week against minnows Luxembourg.
While the big man is continued to be overlooked by Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, his teammate Eden Hazard was Chelsea’s star man last season, and the winger completed the scoring last night at the Friends Arena, slotting home after a one-two with Kevin de Bruyne.
Germany 2-2 Cameroon: Old man Eto’o at it again!
Samuel Eto’o reprised his ‘old man’ celebration last night after scoring the opening goal in Cameroon’s 2-2 draw with Germany.
Also see – Portugal 0-0 Turkey: No Ronaldo, no win for Paulo Bento’s men
The 33-year-old, who fell out with now former boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea after the Portuguese’s disparaging comments concerning Eto’o’s age, tapped in just after the hour to give the Indomitable Lions the lead, with the game ending in a draw.
France 1-1 Paraguay: Griezmann opens his account
Rising French star, and reported Arsenal and Liverpool target, Antoine Griezmann scored his first senior goal for France, but couldn’t help Les Bleus to victory over Paraguay in yesterday’s international friendly encounter.
Also see – USA 2-1 Turkey: Dempsey on target in warmup win
The Real Sociedad winger stuck late on for Didier Deschamps side, curling home superbly after Olivier Giroud’s initial header was saved.
The 23-year-old is one to watch in Brazil, with his stock continuing to rise with every game.