Friendly Roundup: Sunday & Monday
As the World Cup draws ever closer, we catch up with how the stars of Ligue 1 McDonald's are getting on in friendly matches, running the rule over Sunday and Monday's action.
Sunday: Morocco battle Norway to a draw in New York
Having officially declared for Morocco on accepting his call-up to the Atlas Lions for the World Cup, LOSC midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was in the eleven for his country against a fellow World Cup participant in Norway on Sunday evening in New York. He was joined by Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), while Samir El Mourabet (RC Strasbourg came off the bench in the second half. Despite an early goal from Brahim Diaz, Morocco were pegged back late on and had to settle for a draw.
In San Diego, Mousa Al-Tamari's Jordan lost to Colombia, 2-0, with the Stade Rennais winger playing the first half. Finally, in a friendly between two European sides not participating in the tournament in Copenhagen, hosts Denmark edged Ukraine 2-1. Pierre-Emile Højberg started and played ninety minutes for Denmark, while Iliya Zabarni (Paris Saint-Germain) did the same, starting alongside Roman Yaremchuk (Olympique Lyonnais).
نهاية المباراة الودية بالتعادل الإيجابي بين منتخبنا الوطني ومنتخب النرويج
🏁 Full-time! 🇲🇦1-1🇳🇴
A draw against Norway in our final friendly before the #FIFAWorldCup 🤝#DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/TFquDzGGlq— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 7, 2026
Monday: Ruiz, Spain cruise against Peru
On Monday, France were the big attraction, with Michael Olise's stunning hat trick catching the eye in a comprehensive win over Northern Ireland, but Les Bleus weren't the only side in action, as teams rushed to settle their lineups and make final tweaks ahead of the tournament starting Thursday. Former RC Lens player Abdukodir Khusanov helped Uzbekistan turn in a strong display, even if they ultimately fell to the Netherlands, 2-1, in New York City.
And finally, in a late match played in Puebla, Mexico, Spain beat Peru 3-1, with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz impressing in an advanced role in a 4-2-3-1 as La Roja look to alter their tactics to account for the absence of Lamine Yamal in the tournament's early stages.
