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Continuing preparations for the final World Cup tournament on Tuesday, eight friendly international matches took place. Czech Republic, Argentina, and England secured victories, while Germany narrowly avoided defeat at home, and Poland suffered a loss after a bizarre goal.
In the last home game before the World Cup, Poland faced Colombia, and the match started poorly for the hosts, with Elkin Murillo scoring the first goal for Colombia in the 19th minute after a ricochet and uncertain goalkeeping from Artur Boruc. In the middle of the second half, guest goalkeeper Luis Martinez doubled their lead with a bizarre shot from his penalty area into Tomasz Kuszczak's goal. Ireneusz Jelen scored a consolation goal for Poland at the end of the match, but it did not save them from defeat and further criticism of coach Pawel Janas.
Czech Republic's less experienced team, including the returning giant Jan Koller, had a better performance against Costa Rica. Koller had the best opportunity to lead his team when Michael Umana cleared the ball off the goal line, but it was Vratislav Lokvenc who scored the winning goal for the Czechs eight minutes before the end of the match after a pass from Libor Sionko.
Following Poland's example, future World Cup hosts Germany almost suffered a loss at home to Japan. After 65 minutes of play, Germany was trailing 0-2 after two unsuccessful defensive actions resulting in goals from Naohiro Takahara. However, the Germans did not give up, and in the 76th minute, after Bastian Schweinsteiger's penalty kick, Miroslav Klose redirected the ball into the net, and four minutes later, Schweinsteiger equalized the score with a goal of his own.
The match between Chile and Ivory Coast ended in a draw. The African team took the lead in the 72nd minute with a penalty from Arouna Dindane, but immediately after, Didier Zokora received a red card. Chile equalized in the 77th minute through Humberto Suazo. Tunisia claimed an easy victory against Belarus, winning 3-0 with goals from Hamed Namouchi, naturalized Brazilian Santos, and Issam Jomaa.
Argentina secured a victory against Angola, with Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin scoring the goals. The English national team, considered one of the favorites of the tournament along with Argentina, defeated Hungary 3-1 at Old Trafford. Despite a goalless first half, England took the lead after the break through Steven Gerrard and John Terry. Hungary briefly regained hope with a great goal from Pal Dardai from 25 meters, but England sealed the victory with a goal from Peter Crouch.
Match results of Tuesday's friendly games:
Poland 1 - 2 Colombia 19' [0 - 1] Elkin Murillo 63' [0 - 2] Luis Enrique Martinez 90' [1 - 2] Ireneusz Jelen
Czech Republic 1 - 0 Costa Rica 82' [1 - 0] Vratislav Lokvenc
Libya 1 - 2 Uruguay 15' [0 - 1] Vigneri 34' [0 - 2] Sebastian Abreu 61' [1 - 2] El-Taib
Paraguay - Georgia (postponed)
Germany 2 - 2 Japan 57' [0 - 1] Naohiro Takahara 65' [0 - 2] Naohiro Takahara 76' [1 - 2] Miroslav Klose 80' [2 - 2] Bastian Schweinsteiger
Chile 1 - 1 Ivory Coast 72' [0 - 1] Arouna Dindane (pen.) 77' [1 - 1] Humbert Suazo
73' Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast) sent off
Tunisia 3 - 0 Belarus 35' [1 - 0] Hamed Namouchi (pen.) 48' [2 - 0] Francileudo Santos 90' [3 - 0] Issam Jomaa
88' Karim Haggui (Tunisia) sent off
Argentina 2 - 0 Angola 28' [1 - 0] Maximiliano Rodriguez 36' [2 - 0] Juan Pablo Sorin
England 3 - 1 Hungary 47' [1 - 0] Steven Gerrard 51' [2 - 0] John Terry 55' [2 - 1] Pal Dardai 84' [3 - 1] Peter Crouch
