Salah-less Egypt lose to Greece, France cruise past Russia

Liverpool goal machine Mohamed Salah sat on the bench as Egypt barely created a chance when losing 1-0 to Greece Tuesday on a mixed night for African World Cup hopefuls. Tunisia and Morocco won for the second time during the FIFA international window, but Senegal drew again and Nigeria lost after winning last weekend. Reigning African Footballer of the Year Salah has scored 36 goals in 41 appearance for Liverpool this season -- 11 less than the record held by Ian Rush.

?? No Mohamed Salah in the Egypt starting lineup vs. Greece tonight. He's on the bench. pic.twitter.com/AgibjquRQs

— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) March 27, 2018

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat struggling World Cup hosts Russia 3-1 in Saint Petersburg, with Paul Pogba shaking off his problems at club level by netting a superb free-kick. "We expect a lot from him (Pogba), I ask a lot from him," said France coach Didier Deschamps of the midfielder who has found himself out of favour under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United in recent weeks. "He was also playing a 'comeback' match, because it's been a while since he played a full game, it'll do him a lot of good."

#BolanetHighlights https://t.co/QpW1B0bHd6 - Friendly: Rusia 1-3 Prancis (68' Smolov ; 40'83' Mbappe, 49' Pogba) pic.twitter.com/QFqJy0QlMr

— Bola (@Bolanet) March 27, 2018

Romelu Lukaku grabbed two goals as a strong Belgium side romped to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Brussels, with Michy Batshuayi and Kevin De Bruyne also on target. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Schalke forward Breel Embolo were among the scorers for Switzerland in a 6-0 thumping of World Cup debutants Panama in Lucerne.

Romelu Lukaku opens the scoring for Belgium. #mufc pic.twitter.com/1blhhd1KBs

— Man Utd Videos ⚽️? (@ManUtdVines) March 27, 2018

Piotr Zielinski snatched a stoppage-time winner for Poland in a 3-2 victory over South Korea in Chorzow, where goals from Robert Lewandowski and Kamil Grosicki had put the home side in control before quick-fire strikes from Lee Chang-min and Hwang Hee-Cha. Japan lost 2-1 to Ukraine in Liege as Oleksandr Karavaev grabbed the decisive goal after Tomoaki Makino had cancelled out an own goal by team-mate Naomichi Ueda.

?More results from friendlies to bring you!
??Romania 1-0 Sweden??
??Germany 0-1 Brazil??
??Poland 3-2 Korea Republic??
??Belgium 4-0 Saudi Arabia?? pic.twitter.com/mzpAgUUhIg

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) March 27, 2018