The final warm-up window delivered a clean sweep for the heavyweights. Brazil thrashed Panama 6-2 and edged Egypt 2-1, Argentina beat Honduras 2-0, England saw off New Zealand 1-0 and Portugal got past Chile 2-1. Form, fitness and final auditions — all on the line a week from kickoff.
Brazil looked the most fluent: six past Panama in the send-off, then a tighter 2-1 over Egypt with Bruno Guimarães and Endrick on the mark — exactly the rhythm Ancelotti's reshaped squad wanted. Argentina were efficient against Honduras, Lautaro Martínez a goal and an assist, while Messi managed his minutes carefully from the bench.
England's 1-0 over New Zealand was less convincing, the kind of result that won't quiet the noise around Tuchel's omissions. Portugal needed Bruno Fernandes to see off Chile.
Friendlies settle nothing and reveal everything. The body language this week was the real result.
A week out, the auditions are over and the rotations are set. The next time most of these players run out, the points will count.
Sources: The National · FIFA — warm-up results · football365.