Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
2018 World Cup hosts Russia, who will be in Group A alongside Egypt, fell by a score of 3-1 to the French National Team in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
France rode strong performances from Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe to cruise past the upcoming World Cup hosts.
Playing in front of their home crowd, Russia conceded in the 40th minute as Paul Pogba played a through ball into Mbappe, who took his time to beat a defender and then scored.
After the halftime break, France picked up where they left off when Pogba scored a beautiful free-kick in the 49th minute to make it 2-0.
Russia would have something to say about the affair, when Fyodor Smolov capped off a well-worked counterattacking move to make the score 2-1. However, Mbappe saw off the Russian’s hope for a draw when he scored an impressive solo goal in the 83rd minute, nutmegging Russia’s Andriy Lunev in goal.
Russia’s home opener at the World Cup will be against Saudi Arabia, taking place on the 14th of June.
