Five things we learned from last week’s international friendlies

Portugal and Egypt miss talismen

Portugal and Egypt both drew blanks without their respective talismen.

Salah remains a doubt for Egypt’s opener versus Uruguay, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo was given a few extra rest days after a riveting Champions League final.

Mohamed Salah’s spot kick against Congo in Egypt’s penultimate qualifier secured their place at a World Cup for the first time since 1990, so it would be apt for him to make his bow against Uruguay.

This looks unlikely, however a recovery by the time the Pharaohs face Russia should be complete.

Ronaldo will be refreshed and ready for Spain come June 15.

The Pharaohs possessed little threat without Salah against Colombia. Ahmed Hegazi had their best opportunity, which speaks volumes about their attacking options without the Liverpool winger.

The midweek friendly left much to be desired, and fears that Egypt will pose little danger without their magician have materialised further after that result.

Portugal, meanwhile, went to the Belgian capital and dug out a goalless tie. While Pepe and Jose Fonte formed a solid rearguard, replacement attacker Goncalo Guedes squandered chances you feel Ronaldo would have finished off.

Portugal can look to the likes of Gelson Martins and Bernardo Silva should Ronaldo miss any of their fixtures. The former was the most impressive, with a fiery exhibition in Belgium to stake his final claim ahead of their Iberian opener against Spain.

There is no doubt the two nations will be far more at ease when their star men return, and their uninspiring midweek warm-up games only brought that into sharper focus.