Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four fabulous goals to stun England, while France got the better of Italy, with Argentina being held by Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw as the international action drew to a close for 2012.
Mix Diskerud's last-minute equalizer salvaged a draw for the U.S., as the Americans came from behind twice to hold Russia to a creditable 2-2 draw. Fedor Smolov put the Russians ahead for the first time, with Michael Bradley finding the equalizer for his side in the 76th minute.
However, Roman Shirokov gave Russia the lead again, scoring from the penalty spot after Clarence Goodson brought down Artem Dzyuba in the 18-yard box. Just when it looked like the Russians would take home the win, Diskerud popped up in the final minute to earn his side a share of the spoils with his first ever international goal.
Ibrahimovic scored all four of Sweden's goals, three of them after going 2-1 down, as a youngish England side fell to a 4-2 loss. Danny Welbeck and Steven Caulker had given the away side a 2-1 lead, after Ibrahimovic had put his country ahead in the 20th minute.
However, three goals from the Paris St Germain striker in the final 13 minutes sealed the deal for Sweden, even if England manager Roy Hodgson insisted his side have a bright future ahead of them.
"I've got to say it was a very good performance for long periods," he told Sky Sports. "It's disappointing to lose, especially after 2012 when we haven't really lost that many, but if we're going to lose a game it's probably better to do that with the team we had.
"So many players were getting experience, feeling their way into the national team. Me and my coaching staff learned an awful lot today about a lot of players, and a lot of the things we learned were very positive.
"I thought the center-backs -- Steven Caulker and Gary Cahill -- did very well for us. Glen Johnson and Leighton Baines were their usual very very good selves, and I thought Leon Osman actually was surprisingly good.
"Danny Welbeck was excellent at center-forward and it was good to see Jack Wilshere back in an England shirt looking very assured for 25-30 minutes.
"Probably the biggest plus was to see Steven Gerrard playing so well, dominating the game on what was his 100th appearance for the country.
"With players at home coming back into reckoning we're looking forward to a bright 2013. This was the Sweden team that drew 4-4 with Germany recently and I thought for long periods we didn't just match them, we had the better of the game."
Germany and the Netherlands played out a goalless draw, with both countries putting out under-strength sides. Goals from Mathieu Valbuena and Bafetimbi Gomis saw France score a come-from-behind victory over Italy, after AC Milan striker Stephan El Sharawi had given his side a 1-0 lead.
An Argentina team, which included the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Abgel Di Maria, could not find a way past a stubborn Saudi Arabia, as the Asian side pulled off a famous draw.
Luis Suarez continued his good form for his country as well, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 win for Uruguay over Poland, while Spain routed Panama 5-1, with Pedro scoring two goals and David Villa, Sergio Ramos and Susaeta netting one apiece.