Argentina 2-0 Italy, RECAP: Scores from all the big International friendlies including Portugal 2-1 Egypt and Germany 1-1 Spain

The build up to this summer's World Cup gets underway with the help of high profile friendlies to be played across Europe.

Argentina take on Italy at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as the South American side take advantage of their predominately European based squad against the four-time world champions.

Elsewhere the World Cup's last two winners meet in Dusseldorf as world champions Germany host Spain while France take on Colombia in Paris. Follow all the action as it happens.


If you are using the app, please click here to view today’s live blog

  • Alex Martin

    Host commentator

21:58
Good night and God bless

And with that comes the end of tonight's coverage.

Thanks for joining us and roll on the World Cup!

21:55
FULL-TIME France 2-3 Colombia

It was all going so well for France after goals from Olivier Giroud and Thomas Lemar. But they have given Didier Deschamps plenty of cause for concern after allowing Colombia to come back to win.

This wasn't a weak squad either. Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, N'Golo Kante and Hugo Lloris were all playing. Even Paul Pogba came on for the last 25 minutes.

21:47
GOAL - France 2-3 Colombia (Quintero pen 85 MINS)

Disaster for France.

Their 2-0 lead has been transformed into a 3-2 deficit.

21:46
FULL-TIME RESULTS

Argentina 2-0 Italy

Austria 3-0 Slovenia

Germany 1-1 Spain

Holland 0-1 England

Poland 0-1 Nigeria

Portugal 2-1 Egypt

Scotland 0-1 Costa Rica

21:45
GOAL - Portugal 2-1 Egypt (Guess who 96 MINS)

It can only be that man. Cristiano Ronaldo steps up with the last touch of the game to score a second and win it for Portugal.

Both goals were two towering headers. Absolutely incredible. He's saved his country and probably quite a few accumulators.

21:42
GOAL - Portugal 1-1 Egypt (Ronaldo 93 MINS)

Who else could it have been?

Ronaldo steps up with another goal for his country to spare them the embarrassment of a home defeat.

21:35
FULL-TIME: Germany 1-1 Spain

Spain almost shoot themselves in the foot after one of their midfielders passes the ball straight back to Mario Gomez. Lucky for him, Sergio Ramos is back far enough to recover and he knocks the ball out of play for a corner.

This game has been well contested. Both sides clearly went into tonight wanting the win. A draw is probably the right result, but fans from both teams will go home satisfied with what they've seen.

21:33
FULL-TIME: Argentina 2-0 Italy
21:28
GOAL - Argentina 2-0 Italy (Lanzini 85 MINS)

Who needs Messi when you've got Lanzini?

That's the first time anyone has ever said that...

West Ham fans will be buoyed by tonight with Arnautovic also scoring for Austria.

21:26
Update on all the big scores with 10 minutes to go

Germany 1-1 Spain

Argentina 1-0 Italy

Austria 3-0 Slovenia

Holland 0-1 England

Poland 0-1 Nigeria

Portugal 0-1 Egypt

Scotland 0-1 Costa Rica

France 2-2 Colombia (8pm KO)

21:23
GOAL - France 2-2 Colombia (Falcao 62 MINS)

Colombia come from two behind to draw level and it's a brilliant assist from James Rodriguez, who finds Falcao in the box and leaves him with an easy finish!

21:21
Big chance missed by Diego Costa (76 MINS)

Diego Costa has to score there. 

A loose ball falls right at his feet when he's in the Germany box unmarked. He can't get the ball out of his feet quick enough and the goalkeeper closes down the angle enough to make the save.

21:17
GOAL - Argentina 1-0 Italy (Banega 75 MINS)

Gigi Buffon is finally beaten at the Etihad Stadium as Banega slots the ball home from just outside the box.

21:14
Germany 1-1 Spain (67 MINS)

Another good chance for Spain. Asensio plays the ball in the box looking for David Silva.

The Manchester City man dives to get a foot to it, but he can't direct it on target.

Leroy Sane now on for Germany. The talent off the bench has been exceptional tonight.

21:11
GOAL - Poland 0-1 Nigeria (Moses pen 61)
21:10
Off the bar from Germany!

A lovely free-kick is floated into the Spain box and Mats Hummels is the only player getting anywhere near it.

He tries to head the ball over the head of De Gea, but it hits the top of the crossbar!

Meanwhile, Diego Costa is on for Rodrigo. Things are about to get... less friendly.

21:07
GOAL - Holland 0-1 England (Lingard)

England are in front in Amsterdam thanks to a scrappy shot from Lingard. It's been uninspiring from both teams tonight but Gareth Southgate will be happy if his side return home with a win.

21:07
GOAL - Portugal 0-1 Egypt (Salah 56)

It's getting even better for Africa's great hope for this summer's tournament!

Mohamed Salah, facing up to the man he could dethrone, Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored to put Egypt ahead in Portugal.

21:05
A few substitutions

Saul Niguez, Nacho and Marco Asensio have all come on for Spain in this half

21:03
All quiet in the second halves

We haven't forgotten about the other games, but there haven't been any significant goals in the second half games anywhere.

Proper friendly mode now!

Worth noting that Egypt are holding European champions Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo is desperate to show pretender Mo Salah up and has looked frustrated at his side tonight.

21:02
Great passage of play (58 MINS)

This is end-to-end stuff here.

Spain should be 2-1 ahead, David Silva plays a gorgeous pass to Jordi Alba, who finds Isco in the six-yard box.

It's just a tap-in required but the Germany goalkeeper saves it.

Germany break immediately and Ilkay Gundogan gets a shot away from 20-yards out. Again, the goalkeeper is the star as David De Gea beats it away.

20:59
Great move from Spain (54 MINS)

Gorgeous move from Spain.

They pass it around the Germany box with myriad one and two touch passes before Jordi Alba gets the chance to shoot.

The shot is blocked, but the first sign of life from Spain in this second half.

20:55
GOAL - Austria 3-0 Slovenia
20:55
Germany the strong team!

A good move from Germany ends with a scuffed Ozil shot, but it's the home side and current world champions who are in the ascendancy.

They've pieced together a number of good attacking moves already this half and Spain haven't had much of the ball.

20:52
Germany 1-1 Spain - What a shot and what a save

Julian Daxler lets fly with a shot from 35 yards out and it looks as though it's destined for the back of the net.

That is before David de Gea has his say on matters. The goalkeeper makes a diving save and smashes the ball away with a strong hand.

20:50
Buffon's on fire

It sounds like fans at the Etihad Stadium are being treated to a masterclass from the old hands of Gianluigi Buffon.

The 40-year-old made another dramatic save to deny Gonzalo Higuain from six yards out.

20:48
Back underway!

Argentina and Italy resume their battle at the Etihad Stadium as do the rest of the teams around Europe.

Meanwhile, France head towards half-time with Colombia with the score at 2-1.

20:38
Here are the goals from Germany
20:36
HALF-TIME SCORES

Germany 1-1 Spain

Argentina 0-0 Italy

Austria 2-0 Slovenia

Holland 0-0 England

Poland 0-0 Nigeria

Portugal 0-0 Egypt

Scotland 0-1 Costa Rica

20:32
GOAL - France 2-1 Colombia (Muriel 29)

The visitors have got one back in France! That's three goals in under half an hour - more than you usually get from an international friendly.

20:31
Sergio Ramos bossing Draxler

Julian Draxler bursts into the box with the ball and tries to feign it past Sergio Ramos. He obviously doesn't know much about the Real Madrid man, who has been in the Spain team for 13 years.

He ushers it out with ease.

20:29
GOAL - France 2-0 Colombia (Lemar)

The Monaco star jumps in to double France's lead. 

20:28
Good stuff from both teams here

Spain are paying free flowing football when they get the chance and Germany are looking efficient with the ball.

Considering this is the last two World Cup winners playing together, that's probably the least you'd expect.

20:24
GOAL - Austria 2-0 Slovenia (Arnautovic)

Australia double their advantage with a goal from the West Ham man.

Worth noting neither of these teams will be at the World Cup this summer.

20:23
GOAL - Germany 1-1 Spain (Muller)

What a time to turn over.

Thomas Muller pulls Germany level with a long shot into the roof of the net.

It was typically nonchalant from the Bayern Munich star, who didn't even need to put his laces through it.

20:22
Germany 0-1 Spain: Minute-by-minute

After a technical glitch, we've now got live coverage of Germany's game against Spain, so we can bring you more detailed coverage of that game from now on.

20:19
Pictures from Giroud's goal
20:16
The moment Rodrigo fires Spain ahead in Germany
20:14
GOAL - France 1-0 Colombia (Giroud)

He's struggling for Chelsea, but the big man is on fire for France. He puts them 1-0 up against the South American side after 13 minutes.

The striker was first to pounce on the rebound after David Ospina had failed to keep hold of the ball.

20:11
Jose Mourinho at Hampden Park

Jose Mourinho is in Scotland to watch Scott McTominay make his full international debut. Unfortunately, the Manchester United midfielder hasn't done too well so far.

20:08
Buffon makes a fine save (19 MINS)

An Argentina corner finds its way to the feet of Nicolas Otamendi, who swipes the ball at goal.

Gigi Buffon makes a smart save to deny the Manchester City star a goal at his home ground

20:04
GOAL - Austria 1-0 Slovenia (Alaba 14)
20:03
GOAL - Scotland 0-1 Costa Rica (Urena)

That's a bad start to life for Alex McLeish as Scotland go down after 14 minutes...

20:01
Spain celebrate their goal against Germany!
19:59
Teams: France vs Colombia

France XI vs. Colombia: Lloris; Sidibé, Varane, Umtiti, Digne; Mbappé, Kanté, Matuidi, Lemar; Griezmann, Giroud.

Colombia XI: Ospina; Arias, Davinson, Yerry Mina, Fabra; Carlos Sánchez, Aguilar, Uribe; James; Muriel, Falcao

19:58
Food for thought for Joachim Low
19:55
GOAL - Germany 0-1 Spain (Rodrigo)

What a start for the 2010 World Cup winners against the 2014 World Cup winners.

Rodrigo grabs the opener after Andres Iniesta finds him in the box with a great pass.

19:53
FULL-TIME - Greece 0-1 Switzerland
19:52
Italy players all wear 'Astori No 13' shirts
19:50
GOAL - Tunisia 1-0 Iran

That's England's World Cup group rivals taking the lead over Iran, who will also be in Russia this summer.

That game is 72 minutes in having kicked off earlier.

19:49
A request for Messi

As the Barcelona forward may not need his shirt tonight, he could be in luck!

19:45
GOAL! Ukraine 1-1 Saudi Arabia (Al Mowalad)

And the fightback is on!

19:41
GOAL! Ukraine 1-0 Saudi Arabia (Kravets)

That's a blow for World Cup 2018's lowest ranked side, who will open the tournament this summer against hosts Russia.

19:28
The men they've all come to see...and Willy Caballero
19:20
GOAL! Greece 0-1 Switzerland (Dzemaili)

Another early kick-off from one of our more easterly-lying hosts this evening. Greece find themselves 1-0 down at home with 62 minutes played.

19:18
Turkey 1-0 Republic of Ireland - FULL-TIME

We have our first full-time result of the evening. Turkey have beaten Republic of Ireland by a goal to nil thanks to Mehmet Topal's winner.

We'll have a full-time report from CRAIG HOPE shortly, which we'll stick in this post for you. Keep your eyes right here if you're that way inclined and it shall appear.

19:17
Closed roof alert!

There will be a closed roof at the ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf for Germany's game against Spain.

That should help to liven up the atmosphere a bit.

19:14
A tribute to Davide Astori

It will be an emotional night for the Italian team, who take to the field for the first time since defender Davide Astori passed away.

Their shirts will carry a tribute to the Fiorentina captain with the words 'Davide Always With Us' embroidered underneath the national crest.

19:09
Lionel Messi is on the Argentina bench

It's worth confirming that Lionel Messi does make the bench for Argentina tonight so those fans turning up at the Etihad Stadium just to see the little magician may not go home disappointed, particularly this guy...

19:00
Photos live from the Etihad Stadium
18:57
Scotland vs Costa Rica: The teams

Scotland XI: McGregor, Paterson, Robertson, Hanley, Mulgrew (c), McKenna, McTominay, McDonald, McBurnie, Cairney, Ritchie.

Costa Rica XI: Navas, Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte, Gamboa, Oviedo, Borges, Guzman, Ruiz, Colindres, Urena.

18:55
Germany vs Spain: The teams

GERMANY XI vs Spain: Ter Stegen; Hector, Hummels, Khedira, Draxler, Kroos, Ozil, Werner, Muller, Boateng, Kimmich

Spain XI vs Germany: De Gea; Carvajal, Piqué, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Koke, Thiago, Iniesta; Silva, Rodrigo, Isco.

18:54
Portugal vs Egypt: The teams!

Portugal XI vs. Egypt: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Neves, Moutinho, João Mário; André Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Egypt XI vs. Portugal: El Shenawy; Fathy, Gabr, Hegazy, Shafy; Hamed, Elneny, Said; Trezeguet, Salah, Hassan.

18:50
Argentina vs Italy: The teams!

Argentina XI vs. Italy: Caballero; Bustos, Otamendi, Fazio, Tagliafico; Paredes, Biglia; Di Maria, Lo Celso, Lanzini; Higuain.

Italy XI vs. Argentina: Buffon; Florenzi, Bonucci, Rugani, De Sciglio; Parolo, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.

18:49
Welcome to a night of international wonderment

Is that the right word? 

Anyway, welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the live international matches that DON'T involve England or Holland.

You can follow that game by clicking the link above. Here, we will be focusing on the following:

Argentina vs Italy

Germany vs Spain

Portugal vs Egypt

France vs Colombia (8pm)

Scotland vs Costa Rica

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