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Ronaldo to the rescue & Argentina messy without Messi – winners and losers from Friday's internationals

Who topped and who flopped in countries' most recent tests leading up to the World Cup in Russia?

Love it or hate it, the international break returned this week with teams from all over the world keen to gauge their progress ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

England looked comfortable as Gareth Southgate tested a new formation during his side's 1-0 victory over Netherlands, while Bert van Marwijk suffered a nightmarish start to life as Australia boss with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Norway.

Elsewhere, Argentina were without the brilliance of one Lionel Messi as they went head to head with Italy at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, while Didier Deschamps resumed his tough task of deciding which of France's embarrassment of riches will make the cut for Russia as Les Bleus faced off with Colombia.