• Striker ‘had a blackout’ and was taken to hospital for routine examinations • France and Germany draw, Lukaku sets Belgium record

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Sergio Agüero was taken to a hospital for checks after he fainted during half-time of Argentina’s 4-2 friendly defeat to Nigeria.

The Argentine Football Association said on its Twitter account that the Manchester City forward “had a blackout and was taken [to hospital] so routine examinations were made only as a precaution”.

Republic of Ireland v Denmark: World Cup play-off second leg – live! Read more

The AFA gave no further details on the incident, which occurred after Agüero had scored in the first half. Media later published pictures of Agüero walking out of the stadium.

Manchester City said the 29-year-old Agüero had been cleared by doctors to return to England as planned after he suffered what they called “a dizzy spell”.

“Sergio never lost consciousness, and was taken to hospital for precautionary medical checks,” City said on their official website

In the match, an Argentina side without Lionel Messi squandered a two-goal lead and slipped to a shock defeat.

Ever Banega and Agüero gave Argentina the lead, with Kelechi Iheanacho pulling a goal back for Nigeria just before half-time with a free-kick.

The Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored twice and Brian Idowu also found the net for Nigeria in the second half.

The Argentina defender Javier Mascherano said: “Playing against a team of such physical strength you pay the price. They walked all over us … and when we tried to get back on the match we couldn’t.”

Argentina only secured their spot at the World Cup in the last round of South American qualifiers and have not delivered convincing performances without Messi.

The substitute Lars Stindl scored an equaliser deep in stoppage-time to earn the World Cup holders Germany a 2-2 draw against France in Cologne.

The Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette had given Les Bleus the lead in the 33rd minute after being set up by Manchester United’s winger Anthony Martial.

Timo Werner drew Germany level early in the second half from a fine pass by Mesut Özil, only for Lacazette to restore France’s lead in the 71st minute.

Die Mannschaft became only the second European team to win all 10 of their World Cup qualifying matches en route to securing a place, but looked on course for a home defeat. However, with three minutes of added time played, Borussia Monchengladbach striker Stindl calmly converted a flick on from Mario Gotze.

Romelu Lukaku became Belgium’s leading scorer at the age of 24 when his goal gave them a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in a friendly in Bruges on Tuesday.

Lukaku scored with the easiest of headers at the far post from Nacer Chadli’s cross to take his tally to 31 goals in 65 appearances.

Sergio Ramos scored twice from the penalty spot as Spain drew 3-3 with Russia in a friendly on Tuesday.

Grit and some fine individual skill from striker Fyodor Smolov brought Russia back from 2-0 down to earn a draw which will boost morale after a tough year for the 2018 World Cup hosts.

“It was a very tense match and at a certain point we relaxed and lost control of the ball,” Spain coach Julen Loptegui said. “The Russian team got better in the course of the game and things started working out for them.”