World Cup warm-ups deliver goals as Spain, France and Netherlands all win on busy Friday night

With the 2026 World Cup now less than three months away, the latest round of pre-tournament friendlies gave coaches plenty to think about across Europe and the Americas on Thursday and Friday night.

Spain ease past Serbia in Villarreal

Spain were the most convincing winners of the evening. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Victor Munoz added a third as the European champions dispatched Serbia 3-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Luis de la Fuente's side looked sharp throughout and barely allowed Serbia a sight of goal. Spain won Euro 2024 last summer and the confidence running through this squad has not faded since.

Ten-man France hold off Brazil in Foxborough

France beat Brazil 2-1 at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts despite playing a large chunk of the match with 10 men after Dayot Upamecano was sent off. Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike scored the French goals, with Bremer pulling one back for Brazil. Mbappe now has 56 international goals, leaving him one short of Olivier Giroud's all-time France record of 57. At this rate, he could break it before the World Cup even starts.

Reijnders fires Netherlands past Norway

At the Johan Cruijff Arena, the Netherlands came from behind to beat Norway 2-1. Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway the lead in the 24th minute, but Virgil van Dijk headed the hosts level in the 35th minute and Tijjani Reijnders hit the winner six minutes into the second half. Norway rested Erling Haaland for the fixture, and their 13-match unbeaten run came to an end without him.

White scores but England held by Uruguay

England had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley. Ben White, recalled to the squad after a four-year absence from international football, gave England the lead. But Federico Valverde equalised from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time to deny the hosts a win. For Thomas Tuchel, it was a mixed bag: encouraging attacking play in the first half, then too many loose moments at the back as Uruguay grew into the match.

Elsewhere on the night

Argentina beat Mauritania 2-1 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, with Enzo Fernandez and Nico Paz scoring before Jordan Lefort grabbed a late consolation. Lionel Messi came on as a substitute in the second half and the crowd roared every touch, willing him toward one more World Cup campaign.

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