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World Cup friendlies round-up: Germany and France held

Sport360 staff

12:08 02/06/2014

As the World Cup draws ever closer, the teams are putting their squads through their final paces with a series of friendlies before the competition gets under way on June 12.

Last night saw Cameroon and Paraguay cause two big names a shock while Belgium continued their impressive form.

 

Germany 2 – 2 Cameroon

Cameroon came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Germany on Sunday to give the Indomitable Lions a pre-World Cup boost in their penultimate warm-up match. 

All four goals came in an entertaining second-half as Cameroon, coached by German Volker Finke, came within a whisker of a historic first win over Germany.

The Africans took a shock lead through Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o on 62 minutes only for Germany to draw level four minutes later through Thomas Mueller.

Germany replacement Andre Schuerrle gave the hosts the lead before Cameroon left-winger Eric Choupo-Moting popped up with the 78th-minute equaliser.

France 1 – 1 Paraguay

Victor Caceres flicked home an 89th minute equaliser as Paraguay held World Cup bound France to a 1-1 draw on a wet evening in Nice on Sunday. 

Substitute Antoine Griezman had appeared to give the French victory when he curled home an 82nd minute effort before Caceres stunned the Cote d'Azur crowd with his late heroics.

Unfit Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery was on the team list as was recently crowned Champions League winner Karim Benzema of Real Madrid although neither player came off the bench. 

Belgium 2 – 0 Sweden

A goal in either half from Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard gave Belgium an impressive 2-0 win over Sweden last night.

After an unremarkable opening, the Belgians took advantage of some lapse Swedish defending as Axel Witsel seized on a loose ball to feed Lukaku, who curled home from 25 yards.

Hazard then easily rolled in the second goal on 78 minutes after good work from Kevin De Bruyne.

USA 2 – 1 Turkey

The United States continued their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 triumph over Turkey on Sunday.

German-born Fabien Johnson, one of US manager Jurgen Klinsmann's army of young, dual-citizenship footballers, scored his first for the Stars and Stripes, combining with US veteran Michael Bradley for a superb 26th-minute goal that gave the United States a 1-0 lead.

Clint Dempsey added a second for the Sates in the 52nd minute while Turkey’s Selcuk Inan provided his side’s consolation effort by converting a 90th minute penalty. 

Honduras 2 – 4 Israel

World Cup-bound Honduras suffered a second deflating friendly defeat in four days on Sunday as they were beaten 4-2 by Israel.

Honduras' defense struggled all night and Israel made the most of the openings they were offered.

Eran Zahavi grabbed the first goal for the Israelis, his 30-yard shot sailing past the outstretched hands of Honduras goalkeeper Denis Escobar for a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.

The Central American side, seeking a first World Cup victory after qualifying for the third time, open their World Cup finals campaign against France on June 15, and will also face Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E.

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