Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal said he saw several of his players "naked" when he called them to inform them of his World Cup squad selections.

The Oranje have named their 26-man party for Qatar 2022, with a string of surprise selections and omissions in Friday's announcement.

Uncapped trio Xavi Simons, Jeremie Frimpong and Andries Noppert have been included, but there is no place for Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch or Newcastle United's Sven Botman.

Speaking on the calls to inform prospective squad members ahead of the announcement, Van Gaal reflected on the difficulty of his selections, while revealing he caught several players unawares.

"It was really tough," he said at a press conference. "I even took the time difference into account for the people in England. I saw naked players, because they were still in bed!

"I've said a hundred times I think this group is fantastic. But this is about the vision of the national coach. I discovered that this morning when I told a player he would not attend a World Cup. It is not easy."

Other major names missing from the Netherlands' first World Cup squad for eight years – they famously missed Russia 2018 – include Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma and NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

Having missed their return to tournament football at Euro 2020 through injury, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk will skipper the side, where he will wear the OneLove armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

FIFA has already warned against such political action in Qatar, but Van Gaal says he is not interested in the governing body's stance, instead preferring his captain's opinion.

"I think it's not important what FIFA thinks," he added. "It's about what our association thinks, how the national manager thinks about but mostly what Virgil van Dijk thinks.

"I can say something about the situation, that doesn't make a difference. [Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp said it the right way, and I totally back him on his opinion.

"We are going to play there, and we won't often think about the fact that things aren't done the right way. There are so many things that are not okay, even in our country."

Paulo Dybala has overcome injury to take his place in the Argentina squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The Roma forward has not played since the Giallorossi's win against Lecce on October 9 after suffering a thigh problem, though reports had suggested he was close to a return.

That appears to be the case as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has named Dybala in his 26-man squad for Qatar, a list headlined by Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup.

The 35-year-old has rediscovered his form at Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 12 goals in 18 games this season, and he will be joined in attack by the only Albiceleste player to equal him for goals in qualifying (seven), Lautaro Martinez, as well as Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Joaquin Correa, Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez.

Like Dybala, Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero has recovered from injury in time to make it, with Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez also on the plane.

However, Villarreal midfielder Giovani Los Celso has failed to make the cut after recently sustaining a hamstring injury.

Impressive 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernandez earns his place in the squad after a good start to life at Benfica, while Brighton and Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister has also been rewarded for his form in the Premier League.

The two-time World Cup winners begin their campaign on November 22 against Saudi Arabia, before facing Mexico and Poland in their other Group C games.

Argentina squad:

Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal); Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon); Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis); Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Joaquin Correa (Inter), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain).

England's all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney hopes Harry Kane smashes his record during the World Cup.

Kane heads to the tournament with 51 goals for the Three Lions, two behind Rooney's record hail, with the pair standing as the only England players to have hit the half-century mark.

Having scored six times in Russia four years ago to win the Golden Boot, Kane will be confident of surpassing Rooney's tally in Qatar.

While others may wish to hold onto such a record, Rooney is fully behind Kane taking a record that is "there to be broken".

"I'm delighted for him, I think he'll go on and smash the record, I think he'll end up on 70-odd goals," Ronney told TalkSPORT.

"He deserves it for the work he puts in. It's a huge honour to have the record but the record is there to be broken and I couldn't think of anyone better to take that record.

"Hopefully, he gets it during this World Cup because it will mean he's doing well for England."

Kane was one of the sure-fire picks for Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad, which was named on Thursday, though the England manager's selection of Harry Maguire has come under some criticism.

Rooney, who took up a coaching role with D.C. United in MLS earlier this year, believes Southgate has made the right choice in picking the Manchester United centre-back, though he questioned the exclusion of Milan's Fikayo Tomori.

"Harry has been great in the last two tournaments. When I was in the squad, Gareth reiterated to me that he is picking players on form and I wasn't playing, so I didn't get picked, but he seems to have gone away from that now," he added.

"There's a couple of players within the squad who haven't been playing but I think Harry is a very good professional, he'll start the games, I have no doubt, and I'm sure he won't let England down.

"The squad is probably as strong as it could be, if I'm being honest. The only one really is Tomori, from my point of view. He was the one who was pushing to be in the squad, and he will be disappointed that he is not. Everything else is really what I expected.

"With Maguire not playing as much as he wants, I think Southgate might go for the protection with three centre-backs and that is obviously why he's gone with Eric Dier ahead of Tomori, because he fits into the back three.

"I hope we go for four [at the back] and get an extra attacker on the pitch but I think he might go for the back three."

England kick-off their group stage campaign against Iran on November 21, then tackle the United States and Wales in Group B.

Lionel Messi returned to training ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's final Ligue 1 fixture before the World Cup, as Christophe Galtier insisted he will not rest players against Auxerre on Sunday.

Messi missed PSG's 2-1 win at Lorient as a precautionary measure after suffering from inflammation in his Achilles tendon last week, though Galtier maintained the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was likely to return before the tournament in Qatar.

Just 11 days before Argentina begin their Group C campaign against Saudi Arabia, Messi has handed the Albiceleste a boost by joining France's Presnel Kimpembe in returning to PSG training.

While Galtier reiterated his desire to treat the concerns of his players seriously ahead of the World Cup, he is not planning to use Sunday's match as an opportunity to make changes.

"All the players are available except Fabian Ruiz," Galtier said on Friday. "No player came to tell me that he did not want to play or that he was afraid of making this last match.

"My door is always open. They know they can come and talk all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if a player came to see me and told me that he was apprehensive about the last game. 

"I have an obligation to put up a very competitive team against Auxerre. If there is strong restraint, I will be attentive to the comments of my players."

Senegal and Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane became the latest big name to suffer an injury scare on the eve of the tournament this week, but Galtier is confident in his medical team's ability to manage players' fitness levels.

"When I see an injured player like Sadio Mane, I'm always sad for him," Galtier added. "The relationship is very direct between my medical staff and the medical staff of the national teams. 

"All the doctors of the teams are informed of the state of our players. Our selected players will be operational for Sunday's match. The most important thing is to train well. 

"These players who are going to the World Cup are very high-level athletes and competitors. There may be this fear, but it is more around the environment of the players than from themselves."

Gareth Southgate should leave his role as England manager "with his head held high" after the World Cup, according to Jamie Carragher, who says the Three Lions have overachieved during his reign.

Southgate has led England to at least the semi-finals in consecutive major tournaments, becoming the only boss to do so since Alf Ramsey (World Cup winners in 1966, Euro 1968 semi-finalists). 

However, he has faced heavy criticism since he oversaw England's relegation from the top tier of the Nations League in September, and was jeered by supporters following a defeat in Italy.  

While Southgate signed a contract extension to run until the end of Euro 2024 last year, Carragher believes he should call time on his tenure after the trip to Qatar, but says he has earnt the right to make his own decision.

"If I was Gareth Southgate, I would make the Qatar World Cup my swansong as England manager," Carragher wrote in the Telegraph. "Hopefully England will produce to a strong enough level to ensure that is Southgate's call.

"After his excellence in the job to this point, the least he deserves is to leave on his own terms when he feels the time is right. 

"The natural cycle should be for a rethink every four years, so a coach builds towards the next World Cup. Unless Southgate has the energy for that, it is wiser to step away.

"Southgate may win over the doubters for a third time over the next few weeks. My hope for Qatar is for England to again retain interest in the competition until the final week, to give Southgate the option of leaving the job through the front door with his head held high."

Southgate has been charged with adopting a negative approach in several big games during his reign – notably 2018's World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia and the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.

However, Carragher described criticism of his tactics as a "joke" as he insisted England had not underperformed in recent years.

"He is intelligent enough to have sensed a mood shift over the last few months, even if some of the negativity surrounding him during the build-up to the tournament is a joke," Carragher added.

"It is unreasonable to suggest he should change course from the formula that took England so far in their last two competitions.

"He has not failed to get the most of a talented squad, as some argue. He has over performed with a very good bunch.

"Go through the current England team and there are three players who would be a regular first choice in any club side in the world – Harry Kane, Phil Foden and, in the future, Jude Bellingham.

"The suggestion that this is the greatest England team since 1966 is a myth, but the more it gains traction, the more Southgate must deal with unrealistic demands."

Uncapped trio Andries Noppert, Jeremie Frimpong and Xavi Simons have been named in Louis van Gaal's Netherlands squad for the World Cup, but there is no place for Sven Botman or Ryan Gravenberch.

Van Gaal has opted for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Frimpong over Newcastle United centre-back Botman, while in midfield 19-year-old Simons secures his spot ahead of Gravenberch – who has struggled for minutes since joining Bayern Munich.

Gravenberch's Bayern team-mate Matthijs de Ligt does make it, while Premier League defenders Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake are also both unsurprisingly named along with Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia.

In midfield, Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is in alongside Atalanta duo Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners, with Ajax's 20-year-old Kenneth Taylor also looking to add to his two caps to date.

PSV's Cody Gakpo is the standout name in attack, along with Barcelona's Memphis Depay, but there is no spot for Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen or Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma.

The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign on November 21 against Senegal, before also facing Qatar and Ecuador in Group A.

Netherlands squad: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen), Remko Pasveer (Ajax); Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Ake (Man City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurrien Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen); Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV); Cody Gakpo (PSV) Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas)

Sergio Ramos has missed out on a World Cup recall in a Spain squad announcement that saw few surprises.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender was not included in Luis Enrique's 26-man party, having originally been included in La Roja's provisional 55-man list.

Ramos was previously omitted for Euro 2020 following an injury-hit final season at Real Madrid, with his last international cap coming against Kosovo in March 2021 in qualifying for Qatar 2022.

But there had been an outside chance the 36-year-old would have been invited back into the fold for a fifth World Cup, given his improved form and fitness at PSG, as well as his leadership.

Ultimately, Luis Enrique stuck largely with the players he used during Spain's Nations League campaign.

One shock was at centre-back, where Inigo Martinez missed out as Hugo Guillamon was preferred.

There was no recall for Liverpool midfielder Thiago, but Ansu Fati returned despite starting only five matches for Barcelona this season.

Spain squad in full:

David Raya (Brentford), Robert Sanchez (Brighton and Hove Albion), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao); Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Pau Torres (Villarreal); Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City); Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao).

Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann says the club will continue to assess Sadio Mane's injury after he was named in Senegal's World Cup squad.

The forward suffered a knock to his right fibula head in the midweek thrashing of Werder Bremen and will not be available for Saturday's trip to Schalke, Bayern's final game before the tournament in Qatar and their winter break.

Reports initially suggested Mane may not be fit to compete at the World Cup, but he was named in the squad for the Lions of Teranga on Friday.

Nagelsmann does not consider the matter closed, however, and has made it clear Mane should not play unless he is fully fit.

"We'll do another check in 10 days and then we'll see how the recovery is going," he said in Friday's press conference.

"Of course, Senegal would like him to play. But if he's in pain, he can't play. Health is above football. That's the case with us and also with everyone else."

Bayern moved to the top of the Bundesliga after last week's win at Hertha Berlin having seen previous leaders Union Berlin lose to Bayer Leverkusen, before opening up a four-point gap in midweek, displaying a considerable improvement from the opening rounds of the campaign.

After starting the season with three wins, Bayern went four without victory, but have since won six from seven, including three points in each of their last five Bundesliga outings.

Nagelsmann praised his squad for the turnaround and outlined the desire to head into the mid-season break on the back of another win.

"It was a turbulent half-year, probably one of the most turbulent in my professional life. We want to win the game against Schalke tomorrow, then we have done a good job in all competitions. Not a perfect one, but a good one," he added.

"As a whole team, we have also developed again since the early crisis. If we go into the break as championship leaders, then that's very valuable. We definitely want to maintain our lead."

Sadio Mane has been named in Senegal's squad for the World Cup despite suffering a fibula injury less than two weeks before the tournament begins.

The Bayern Munich attacker limped out of his side's 6-1 Bundesliga thrashing of Werder Bremen on Tuesday, and the Bavarian giants subsequently confirmed he had injured his right fibula head.

Reports in Germany and France said Mane's availability for Senegal's World Cup campaign – which begins against the Netherlands on November 21 – was in question, but Bayern did not rule him out of the tournament.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has opted to take a risk on Mane by naming him in his 26-man party for the trip to Qatar, though he acknowledges the former Liverpool star's condition must improve if he is to feature.

"We are monitoring the situation and have sent one of our doctors to assess him," Cisse said at a press conference in Dakar on Friday.

"On Thursday, Sadio spent the whole day in Munich before travelling to Austria for further tests. The good news is that he does not need an operation.

"We want the situation to evolve in two to three weeks. I don't want to rule him out."

Mane scored the winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt to win their first Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year, and he has been directly involved in 12 of the last 25 goals scored by Senegal players at major tournaments (AFCON and World Cup), netting nine and assisting three.

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly will captain the Lions of Teranga in Qatar, with Blues team-mate Edouard Mendy also set to start in goal.

Senegal squad: Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea); Fode Ballo-Toure (Milan), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis); Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham); Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United), Ismaila Sarr (Watford).

Erik ten Hag says Alejandro Garnacho's potential inclusion in Argentina's Qatar 2022 World Cup squad would not be "the right step" for the Manchester United teenager.

La Albiceleste are set to announce their 26-man party for this month's tournament next Monday, where the reigning Copa America champions are considered among the frontrunners.

With Lionel Messi set to likely compete in his final World Cup, Lionel Scaloni's side will not be short of motivation, and there have been suggestions Garnacho could be a surprise name in the squad.

But Ten Hag is not sure it would be the best thing for the winger's development.

"It's difficult to say," he stated. "I don't know all the available Argentina players, what is available for them from 26. It's a big step to go to a World Cup, where the best players in the world come together.

"It's a big step. I don't know if that's the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop. I think [he has to] go from game to game."

Garnacho was a live-wire performer for United as they progressed to the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Thursday with a 4-2 win over Aston Villa, providing two assists after coming off the bench.

The teenager has lacked regular minutes this term, though he has been a frequent performer in Europe, with four Europa League appearances and a goal to his name.

Pierre Kalulu is set to stay at Milan until 2027 after the defender signed a two-year extension to his previous deal at San Siro.

The 22-year-old, who arrived just over two years ago from Lyon's reserve team, has emerged as a regular fixture in the Rossoneri's back-line and has been rewarded for his fine form.

Kalulu was originally contracted to Milan until 2025, but he has become the latest key man to commit his long-term future to the Serie A champions.

"Milan is pleased to announce the extension of Pierre Kalulu's contract until 30 June 2027," read a brief club statement.

"Pierre joined AC Milan in the summer of 2020 and has since made 75 appearances, carving out an important space in the Rossoneri defence."

Fikayo Tomori, Kalulu's defensive partner, and Sandro Tonali have also both signed new deals since the start of the season, as has coach Stefano Pioli. Theo Hernandez agreed an extension back in February.

Kalulu played 28 games and scored one goal in Serie A last season. He has featured 14 times in the league this term, as well as starting all six of Milan's Champions League matches.

Joao Felix is angling for a way out of Atletico Madrid, having fallen out of favour in Spain.

The 22-year-old has started only eight of the 17 games he has played in this season, netting three goals.

The forward is contracted with Atletico until 2026, having signed a bumper seven-year deal when joining from Benfica in 2019.

TOP STORY – PSG PLOTTING JANUARY LOAN MOVE FOR JOAO FELIX

Paris Saint-Germain have joined the list of clubs interested in Atletico Madrid's wantaway forward Joao Felix, according to Le Parisien.

PSG may look to sign the Portuguese on loan in January, having been interested in a move for him during the last transfer window.

Joao Felix has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United, with both clubs reportedly bidding for him in the last transfer window.

ROUND-UP

– Borussia Dortmund are bullish they can ward off interest in their 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham and retain his services, reports 90min. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all keen on the England international.

– Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa may have penned a new contract last week, but Manchester United are still monitoring the 23-year-old, reports Nicolo Schira. United will keep an eye on him during the World Cup, although he has a €75million (£65m) release clause.

– Arsenal are willing to fork out £56m to land Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk, according to Dean Jones on GiveMeSport.

– Roma are interested in out-of-favour Barcelona full-back Hector Bellerin, having failed to lure Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, reports Calciomercato.

– West Ham have identified Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone as their top transfer target, reports Bild.

The Danish Football Association (DBU) says it is "regrettable" that FIFA have rejected their request to train with shirts emblazoned with the phrase "human rights for all" at the World Cup.

Denmark revealed in September toned down Hummel kits for their World Cup jerseys, including a third black kit, as a protest to Qatar's human rights record.

The DBU have been proactive in their criticism of Qatar's treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws, minimizing commercial activities in the nation while stating last year that training kit sponsors would make way for messages.

DBU chief executive Jakob Jensen revealed on Thursday that FIFA had turned down their training shirts submission.

"We have today got a message from FIFA that the training shirts our players were to train in, where it would say 'human rights for all' at the stomach [of the shirt], have been rejected due to technical reasons, which is regrettable," Jensen told Ritzau news agency.

"We believe the message "human rights for all" is universal and not a political call, but something everyone can support."

FIFA's rules stipulate that any team equipment cannot have political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, while the organization wrote to teams recently to urge them to focus on football in Qatar rather than ideological or political issues.

Players from Australia, who are in Denmark's group along with France and Tunisia, recently released a video criticizing the human rights record of Qatar, specifically migrant workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Veteran strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have earned selection to their fourth consecutive World Cup, headlining Uruguay's squad announcement on Thursday.

Cavani, 35, was considered in doubt due to a recurring ankle injury, which has seen him complete a full 90 minutes just once this LaLiga season for Valencia. 

Following that 90-minute performance, he was withdrawn just 18 minutes into Valencia's following game against Barcelona on October 29, and is yet to return.

Suarez, who is also 35, played in both September friendlies, contributing an assist in a 2-0 win against fellow World Cup qualifiers Canada to indicate he is still at the required level, despite playing his club football for Nacional in the Uruguayan First Division.

While the seasoned strike partnership will provide experience, Uruguay's squad also has a strong mix of younger emerging talent, headlined by 24-year-old Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.

Cavani and Valverde lead an impressive group joining the squad from LaLiga, which includes centre-backs Ronald Araujo from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur and Manchester United's Facundo Pellistri are the squad's only Premier League representatives, while Napoli's Mathias Olivera, Roma's Matias Vina and Lazio's Matias Vecino represent Serie A.

Uruguay begin their campaign on November 24 against South Korea, before facing Portugal on November 28 and wrapping up Group H against Ghana on December 2.

Uruguay squad: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastián Sosa (Independiente); Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Martín Caceres (LA Galaxy), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godín (Velez Sarsfield), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Matias Vina (Roma); Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Nicolas de la Cruz (River Plate), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matías Vecino (Lazio); Agustín Cannobio (Athletico Paranaense), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Facundo Torres (Orlando City).

Carlo Ancelotti lamented Real Madrid's late showing for inviting "unnecessary suffering" in what should have been a more comfortable victory over Cadiz.

Madrid will head into November's World Cup break trailing LaLiga leaders Barcelona by two points after overcoming Cadiz 2-1 on Thursday.

Eder Militao's second goal in as many games and a thunderous Toni Kroos volley seemingly had Madrid cruising to victory, before Lucas Perez's 81st-minute strike ensured a nervy ending at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti acknowledged there were a lot of positives to take from Madrid's first victory in three league games, though the Blancos coach was frustrated to see his side concede late on.

"Yes, we played very well until 2-1. We were able to score 3-0 with [Luka] Modric, who had an easy chance," the Italian told DAZN. 

"Then it's normal. It was unnecessary suffering. Three deserved points and we finished well [before the World Cup]."

Modric, who will aim for World Cup glory with Croatia in Qatar, missed a gilt-edged chance at 2-0 up as he fired wide of an open goal following Vinicius Junior's offload.

The failure in front of goal did not come back to haunt Madrid, allowing Ancelotti to joke about the miss, saying: "I've told him Croatia have already given him the call-up, so he won't have a problem."

Cadiz attempted to ruffle Madrid feathers by imposing their physical presence, leading to six yellow cards being shown in an ill-tempered clash.

Vinicius voiced his displeasure in the first half after team-mate Rodrygo and centre-back Fali clashed off the ball, with Ancelotti stunned by the lack of retrospective VAR action.

"Yes, they told me that [Fali] punched [Rodrygo]. I saw a video and it seemed like an attack to me," Ancelotti said of the altercation where Fali appeared to elbow the Madrid attacker.

The Cadiz defender suggested he may have let the heat of the moment get to him, too.

"In the end it's true that I did hit him. He says it's an elbow and I say no," Fali said. "I try to stop him and try to grab him. The VAR sees it and gives me a yellow card. 

"In this action maybe, I went a little too far. It is not to hurt him. The still image seems to be more than it is. I try to grab his head. He says that I elbowed him, and tell him I did not."

Madrid will not be in action until a trip to Real Valladolid on December 31 after the break for the World Cup.