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Iraq conclude WC preparations with a defeat to Venezuela

Iraq's midfielder #21 Marko Farji and Venezuela's midfielder #17 Daniel Pereira vie for the ball
Iraq's midfielder #21 Marko Farji and Venezuela's midfielder #17 Daniel Pereira vie for the ball
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 ⁠Iraq lost 2-0 to Venezuela on ​Wednesday in ​their final warm-up friendly before the World Cup.


Midfielder Cristian Casseres opened the scoring for the South Americans in Bridgeville, Illinois in ⁠the 17th minute with a ⁠close-range finish.


Venezuela doubled their lead immediately after interval when Casseres won the ball before ‌passing to striker ​Jesus Ramirez, who ⁠dribbled past a defender ​and fired in a ‌powerful shot.


Iraq finished the match with 10 ​men after forward Ali Youssef was shown a straight red card in the 72nd minute.


Iraq return to the World Cup ‌finals for the first time ​since their only appearance 40 years ago, ​and ‌will ⁠begin their Group I campaign against Norway on June 17 before ​facing France and Senegal.


Venezuela ⁠is not ​a participant in this year's tournament in North America, and remains the only South American nation to ​never qualify for the World ​Cup finals. 



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