Mbappe saves France a draw, Portugal hit back to win

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France substitute Kylian Mbappe engineered two late goals to rescue a 2-2 draw against Iceland and spare the blushes of the world champions in their friendly in Guingamp on Thursday.

The home side enjoyed the lion's share of possession and created plenty of good scoring opportunities, but Iceland, hammered 6-0 and 3-0 in their last two games by Switzerland and Belgium, still managed to take the lead on the half-hour mark.

Alfred Finnbogason dispossessed defender Presnel Kimpembe near the corner flag before jinking inside Lucas Digne and squaring the ball to the onrushing Birkir Bjarnason, who side-footed it home from the edge of the area.

It was Iceland's first goal under new coach Erik Hamren and Kari Arnason added their second 13 minutes into the second half, flicking a near-post corner past France keeper Hugo Lloris and into the net.

Iceland's midfielder Birkir Bjarnason (2nd, L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the match between France and Iceland on October 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

That prompted the introduction of Mbappe, who scored France's fourth goal in their 4-2 World Cup final win over Croatia.

The Iceland players threw themselves frantically at every ball in a concerted effort to keep their clean sheet, but they were undone in the 86th minute.

After having a goal ruled out for offside, the 19-year-old Mbappe hammered a shot that goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson deflected into Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, who sent it bouncing across the line for an own goal.

Mbappe leveled the scores four minutes later, stepping up to rifle the ball home from the penalty spot after a handball by Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

Portugal ruin Lewandowski's century celebration

Portugal's Bernardo Silva scored a typical individual goal as their new-look side recovered to win 3-2 away to Poland in the Nations League with an impressive performance on Thursday.

Andre Silva's strike and a Kamil Glik own goal put the European champions ahead by halftime, after Krzysztof Piatek had given Poland an early lead, and Bernardo Silva then got in the act early in the second half of the League A Group 3 game.

Bernardo Silva (R) of Portugal scores a goal during the match between Poland and Portugal on October 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

Portugal, who are rebuilding their team after a second-round exit at the World Cup, left out a number of old favorites including Joao Moutinho, Jose Fonte and Ricardo Quaresma.

Captain and all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo was also absent by what coach Fernando Santos said was mutual consent, although he is expected to be recalled next year.

Lewandowski makes his 100th Poland appearance. /VCG Photo

It was also an unhappy 100th Poland appearance for Robert Lewandowski, who barely had a touch of the ball.

After two games, Portugal top the group with six points, while Poland and Italy have one apiece.

Spain ease to win over Wales

Spain continued their sparkling start to life under Luis Enrique with a 4-1 win away to Wales helped by two goals from Paco Alcacer. The team earned a third straight win since their former Barcelona manager took charge.

Alcacer continued his rampant form by smashing the ball into the top corner in the eighth minute at the Principality Stadium, scoring for the fifth game in a row after netting seven times in his last four outings for Borussia Dortmund.

Spain captain Sergio Ramos doubled the lead with a header from Suso's freekick in the 19th and striker Alcacer volleyed his second after a defensive mix-up before the half-hour mark.

Spanish players celebrate scoring the fourth goal to claim the victory. /VCG Photo

Wales were without injured Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, although he watched from the stands and was honored on the pitch at halftime for becoming his country's record scorer last March when he overtook Ian Rush's tally of 28 goals.

Both sides are in Nations League action next week with Spain hosting England on Monday and Wales visiting Ireland on Tuesday.

Source(s): Reuters