With the line-up for this summer's tournament complete following the conclusion of the qualifying play-offs, the countries that had already booked their place were sharpening their focus in friendlies during the international break.

Brazil continued to display improved form under former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti, but required late drama to secure victory over Croatia.

In the Selecao's final match before Ancelotti names his World Cup squad, Joao Pedro led the Brazil attack from the start, this time as the central striker. Andrey Santos, meanwhile, came off the bench to feature in midfield in the second half.

Brazil took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Danilo, and that is the way it stayed until the 84th minute, when Croatia struck with an equaliser.

The South Americans were not to be denied, though, as Endrick earned a penalty, converted by Igor Thiago, with two minutes remaining. He then set up Gabriel Martinelli to make it 3-1 and seal victory.

Elsewhere, World champions Argentina ensured they will begin the defence of their title in good form, after thrashing Zambia 5-0 in Buenos Aires. Enzo Fernandez played 74 minutes on the left side of a three-man midfield, and left the field with his team four goals up.

The Albiceleste strolled to victory at La Bombonera, with Julian Alvarez giving them the lead inside five minutes. Lionel Messi made it two before the interval, before Nicolas Otamendi combined with an own goal to stretch the lead in the second half. Valentin Barco completed the scoring in added time.

Elsewhere, Pedro Neto and Portugal returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over the USA in Atlanta, having been held to a 0-0 draw by another of the World Cup co-hosts, Mexico, in their previous match.

Just like at the Azteca, Neto played the opening 45 minutes before coming off as one of seven half-time substitutes as head coach Roberto Martinez continues to experiment in these friendlies.

The Europeans had the measure of their hosts throughout, but it wasn’t until shortly before the half-time break that Francisco Trincao gave Portugal the lead. With a largely changed line-up, former Blues forward

Joao Felix got the second after the break and a second consecutive clean sheet of this window secured a two-goal victory.