Zurich: Lukewarm Serbia stumbled to a 1-0 home defeat by Chile in a World Cup warm-up while Morocco were far more impressive in a 2-1 win over Slovakia in the other match involving finalists.
Italy and the Netherlands, two of the biggest names to miss out on Russia, continued their rebuilding work with a 1-1 draw in Turin.
Serbia went down to a late goal to Guillermo Maripan.
The centre-back headed in from close range two minutes from time to earn a deserved win for Reinaldo Rueda’s side.
Former Manchester United and Wigan striker Angelo Henriquez missed an open goal from three yards out.
At the other end Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic was denied a penalty after Erick Pulgar’s challenge.
The South Americans, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, dominated the first half through the efforts of Junior Fernandes and Angelo Sagal.
Serbia chose to leave Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on the bench, instead starting Liverpool’s Marko Grujic.
Looking sluggish and sloppy, the Serbs created only one serious chance, a strike by Aleksandar Kolarov in the 40th minute that tested Chile goalkeeper Gabriel Arias.
Serbia continue their tournament preparation with a friendly against Bolivia on Saturday before their opening Group E match against Costa Rica on June 17.
Five-time champions Brazil, Costa Rica and Switzerland are the other teams in Group E.
Morocco came from behind to defeat Slovakia 2-1 in the North African side’s penultimate friendly before the World Cup.
After being held 0-0 last Thursday by Ukraine, the Moroccans made a better showing against the Slovaks, who missed qualifying for the World Cup.
Morocco set a blistering tempo in the opening minutes, keeping the European side bottled-up in their own end and threatening twice in the first quarter-hour: Hakim Ziyech hit the post and Mbark Boussoufa forced a difficult save from Slovak goalkeeper Michal Sulla.
Nordin Amrabat, Mehdi Benatia, and Younes Belhanda also had chances for Morocco in the first half.
Seeing little of the ball, Slovakia had to rely on the counter and the approach nearly paid off, but Marek Hamsik’s effort from close range went over the crossbar.
The Moroccans slowed down a little in the second half and the Slovaks made the most of the respite, taking a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute on a low, hard shot from outside the box by Jan Gregus.
After conceding for the first time in nearly a year, Morocco were quick to respond.
Ayoub Kaabi, who came on at the hour mark for Khalid Boutaib, needed only three minutes to bring his side level, heading in a corner in the 63rd minute to ignite a ferocious rally.
Though Slovak coach Jan Kozac shifted to five at the back in a bid to blunt the Moroccan attack, Belhanda put his side ahead 2-1 in the 74th minute, pouncing on a rebound and putting the ball well out of the reach of Sulla.
Morocco will play Estonia later this week in Tallinn in Estonia before heading to Russia, where their World Cup campaign begins June 15 with a match against Iran.
The Moroccans’ other opponents in the group stage will be Spain and Portugal.
Results
Morocco 2 Slovakia 1
Serbia 0 Chile 1
Fixtures
Wednesday
Russia v Turkey, 8pm
Thursday
Nigeria v Czech Republic, 5pm
Norway v Panama, 9pm
Belarus v Hungary, 9pm
Belgium v Egypt, 10.45pm
