World Cup warmup: Italy frustrated as Uruguay and Argentina win

Italy's preparations for the World Cup hit a snag after they could only manage a 1-1 draw against minnows Luxembourg.

The four-time World Cup winners looked to have things under control in Perugia, when, as early as the ninth minute, Mario Balotelli set up Claudio Marchisio for the headed opener.

But the Azzurri were made to pay for their profligacy and shoddy defending when Maxime Chanot lost his marker in the 85th minute during a corner kick to head home the equaliser.

It was a different story for Italy's Group D rivals Uruguay, who posted a 2-0 win over Slovenia in their final warmup match in Montevideo.

While coach Oscar Tabarez was not happy about his side's attack in the first half, the hosts, who were without injured Luis Suarez, took the lead in the 37th minute when Edinson Cavani powered home a delicate cross from Diego Forlan.

Substitute Christian Stuani then notched his second strike in as many games when he tapped home from close range on 75 minutes after a scramble.

In Valparaiso, Alexis Sanchez was at his creative best as he inspired Chile to a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Fresh from providing all three assists in La Roja's come-from-behind 3-2 win over Egypt, the Barcelona forward made the telling cross for Eduardo Vargas to head home the opener in the 79th minute.

Three minutes later, Sanchez spun clear of his marker to slide a through ball to Mauricio Pinilla, who slotted the ball past Roy Carroll.

Argentina eased past Trinidad and Tobago with a 3-0 win in Buenos Aires.

Rodrigo Palacio gave the hosts the lead in the first minute of first-half added time with a header off a corner.

While star man Lionel Messi didn't get on the scoresheet, the forward did strike the 50th-minute free-kick which led to Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano's tap-in after the ball came off the upright.

Maxi Rodriguez wrapped up the scoring in the 64th minute after he was set up by Palacio, who did well to keep the ball from going out before the final pass.

Ivory Coast win

The Ivory Coast will head to Brazil on a victorious note after they recorded a 2-1 victory over El Salvador in Texas without Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, who was left out as a precaution.

The Elephants took the lead after Didier Drogba's clever pass freed Gervinho, who then skipped past El Salvador goalkeeper Derby Carrillo to score in the ninth minute.

The two forwards reversed roles three minutes before half-time when Gervinho crossed from the left for Drogba to sweep home,

Even though El Salvador pulled one back in the 75th minute through an Arturo Alvarez penalty, the Ivory Coast held on for the win.

Sources: Wires, YouTube