ZURICH, March 24, 2018 (News agencies) - Cristiano Ronaldo won the battle between two of Europe's in-form strikers as Portugal defeated Mohamed Salah's Egypt 2-1 in Zurich. The European champions trailed until the 90th minute before Ronaldo scored twice to steal victory. Salah opened the scoring after the interval with a sweet left-footed drive from outside the area. But Ronaldo made it 43 goals in 40 appearances this term as Portugal lay down a marker before the World Cup. After a tame first half, Liverpool forward Salah backed up his impressive four-goal performance against Watford on Saturday with a smart finish to give Egypt the lead. With the clock ticking down and with victory for Egypt in sight, Portugal's captain equalised and sealed the win with two powerful headers in the dying moments. Meanwhile, Brazil scored three goals in 13 minutes to ease past World Cup hosts Russia in a friendly in Moscow. After a goalless first half, Miranda opened the scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium, which will host seven matches at this summer's tournament including the final. Philippe Coutinho scored a penalty for Brazil's second before Paulinho headed in a third from close range. Five-time world champions Brazil are now unbeaten in eight games. On the other hand, Germany and Spain played out an entertaining friendly draw in a meeting of the past two world champions. Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, led within six minutes as Rodrigo smashed home from Andres Iniesta's pass. But reigning world champions Germany levelled from Thomas Muller's 25-yard curling effort in a lively first half. Elsewhere, France threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Colombia at the Stade de France. Olivier Giroud and Thomas Lemar appeared to have put Les Bleus in control, but Luis Muriel and Radamel Falcao pulled Colombia level before Juan Fernando Quintero's late penalty winner. Finally, Jesse Lingard's first international goal extended England's unbeaten run to seven games and gave them a deserved friendly victory against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Lingard made the decisive contribution just before the hour, arriving on the edge of the penalty area to fire low past Dutch keeper Jeroen Zoet, who got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.
