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Friendlies round-up

Gonzalo Higuain wheels away in delight
Image: Higuain: Real Madrid striker on the scoresheet for Argentina on Tuesday

Argentina produced an impressive 3-1 win over Nigeria to gain revenge for their defeat earlier this summer.

Real Madrid duo combine to give their national team a win

Argentina produced an impressive 3-1 win over Nigeria to gain revenge for their defeat earlier this summer. The Super Eagles claimed a 4-1 success over the South American technicians earlier this summer in Abuja. However, they were powerless to stop Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria from notching in Bangladesh. Higuain and Di Maria both netted in quick succession to put Argentina 2-0 up after 26 minutes and in control of the contest. Nigeria pulled a goal back right after half-time through Chinedu Obasi, but Argentina sealed the victory when Uwa Elderson inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net midway through the second period.

Defeat

Early goals in each half saw the Czech Republic inflict a fourth straight friendly defeat on Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine in Prague. Michal Kadlec had a brace inside 12 minutes before Jan Rezek and Daniel Kolar struck in the first six minutes of the second half to complete a 4-0 win. Kadlec, whose late penalty salvaged a point for the Czechs in Scotland on Friday night, lashed home another spot-kick after Vyacheslav Shevchuk brought down Rezek, and then headed home Jaroslav Plasil's corner to make it 2-0. Rezek scored number three two minutes into the second half before Vaclav Pilar crossed for Kolar to get the fourth.
Losses
The defeat comes on the back of losses to France, Sweden and Uruguay for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klinsmann's first away match in charge of the United States ended in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Belgium in Brussels. Nicolas Lombaerts got the only goal in the 55th minute. Poland and Germany played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with two goals coming in the injury time of the contest. Robert Lewandowski put the Poles ahead after 55 minutes but Toni Kroos scored from the penalty spot after 68 minutes to level the scores. Jakub Blaszczykowski scored in the first minute of added time for what looked like a certain victory for the home side. But the Germans are still as resilient as ever and substitute Cacau grabbed the equaliser in the fourth of the five minutes of added time.

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