Ibrahimovic in ominopus form ahead of crunch match against Ireland

Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired out a warning to the Republic of Ireland with a hat-trick in Sweden's 4-2 friendly defeat of neighbours Norway in Stockholm.

The Irish host the Swedes in a vital World Cup qualifier next month and keeping the Paris St Germain frontman, who famously scored four against England last year, quiet will be their prime concern.

Ibrahimovic struck twice in the first half hour at the Friends Arena but Norway were level at the break after a Mohammed Abdellaoue penalty and a Stefan Johansen effort.

Ibrahimovic soon restored the advantage, though, and Anders Svensson wrapped up the win.

Ireland's other group rivals Germany recovered from the shock of conceding twice in the opening 14 minutes to draw 3-3 with Paraguay at Kaiserslautern.

Ariel Nunez and Wilson Pittoni were on target early for the visitors but Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Muller levelled. Miguel Samudio put Paraguay back ahead but Lars Bender secured a draw.

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez showed he remains in good touch despite the persistent speculation over his future with an influential display in Uruguay's 4-2 win in Japan.

Suarez set up Diego Forlan's opener, won the free-kick for his strike partner's second and then added the third.

Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa cut the deficit but Alvaro Gonzalez grabbed Uruguay's fourth before Keisuke Honda struck a Japan consolation.

Mirko Vucinic struck the equaliser as Montenegro drew 1-1 in Belarus.

Ukraine were 2-0 winners over Israel thanks to goals from Ruslan Rotan and Yevhen Seleznyov.

Wigan's Jean Beausejour and Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez scored two goals apiece as Chile thrashed Iraq 6-0 in their friendly in Brondby, Denmark.

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko continued his good pre-season form with two goals for Bosnia-Herzegovina but it was not enough to prevent a 4-3 loss to the United States in Sarajevo.

Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic put Bosnia in command but a hat-trick from new Sunderland signing Jozy Altidore after Eddie Johnson pulled one back turned the game around. Dzeko's second came in the last minute.

Argentina beat Italy 2-1 in Rome after goals from new Napoli signing Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega. Lorenzo Insigne replied for Italy.