GOIANIA, Brazil: Neymar converted a penalty with the final kick of the match to hand Brazil a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina in a friendly international at the Serra Dourada in Goiania on Wednesday.
The penalty, awarded for a handball by Argentina defender Leandro Desabato, turned chants from local fans against Brazil coach Mano Menezes into joyful celebration at the late victory.
Fans called for the return of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luis Felipe Scolari, unhappy with the trouble Menezes’ team with several first choice players were having in creating chances against a second-string Argentina.
The match was the first of two between teams drawn only from the domestic leagues of two great South American rivals. They meet again in the northern Argentine city of Resistencia on Oct. 3.
Menezes told reporters he had no complaints with the fans and said they had only expressed their disapproval after he brought off Sao Paulo’s Lucas, who had been playing well, for tactical reasons.
“The fans have their preferences but my job is to try to make the national team improve and it did and that’s how we got a victory in the end,” he said.
Neymar said: “I don’t think you should jeer during the game, you’ve got to wait till it’s over. No one likes to be jeered, no one likes to be criticized, that’s why we give our best (possible) on the field.” Argentina, on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes, went ahead in their first dangerous incursion into the Brazil penalty area.
Striker Juan Manuel Martinez, who plays in Brazil for Corinthians, passed out wide to Clemente Rodriguez before racing into the box to collect the left back’s cross and beating goalkeeper Jefferson with a shot inside the near post.
Brazil equalized six minutes later from a free kick taken by Neymar on the right with midfielder Paulinho offside according to television replays when he moved forward to head past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
“It was a lovely move,” Martinez told a television reporter on the pitch about Argentina’s goal.
“Desabato was fouled in the penalty incident. Anyway, we played well, with an intelligent game plan against a great team. (Brazil) didn’t create clear chances.” It was Brazil’s second win in four meetings with Alejandro Sabella’s Argentina.
Last year in matches between home-based selections, the rivals drew 0-0 in Argentina with Brazil winning the return fixture 2-0.
Argentina won 4-3 in a friendly in New Jersey between the full national sides in June courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat trick.
The full Brazil team were also beaten by Argentina 1-0 in Qatar in November 2010 shortly after Menezes was appointed to build a team capable of winning the World Cup at home in 2014, something many fans now doubt.
The pressure has grown on Menezes since his Olympic team failed to win Brazil’s first soccer gold medal when they were upset by Mexico in the London Games final in August.
“Big Phil” Scolari is out of work having quit Palmeiras last week with the team in the Brazilian championship relegation zone.
Brazil beats Argentina 2-1 with last-gasp penalty
Brazil beats Argentina 2-1 with last-gasp penalty
Perth Scorchers win sixth BBL title after trouncing Sydney Sixers
- The Australia squad will fly to Pakistan to play three 20-over matches
- It will prepare Australia for opening T20 World Cup fixture against Ireland
PERTH: Perth Scorchers raced to their sixth Big Bash League title on Sunday with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the final at Perth Stadium.
Earning hosting rights after crushing the Sixers in a qualifier last week, the Scorchers bowled first and bowled their six-time Grand Final rivals out for a paltry 132 in 20 overs as pacemen David Payne and Jhye Richardson combined for six wickets.
With 15 balls remaining in their reply, the hosts reached 133-4 anchored by a 43-ball 44 from Mitch Marsh.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders, we have high expectations, and to be able to deliver on those expectations is really satisfying,” said Scorchers captain Ashton Turner.
The table-topping Scorchers started their chase in audacious fashion when Marsh, Australia’s T20 captain, pulled the first ball for six.
His opening partner Finn Allen, the season’s top run-scorer with 466, got the better of quick Mitchell Starc in a 19-run fourth over, bringing the crowd to their feet with a scooped six into the second tier.
With rain threatening, the Scorchers powered ahead at nearly 10 an over until a spectacular one-handed catch by Jack Edwards off Starc dismissed Allen for 36.
Seamer Sean Abbott accounted for Aaron Hardie (five) and Marsh, but Josh Inglis (29 not out) saw the Scorchers over the line with a majestic six over long-off.
Earlier, the Perth crowd of 55,018 roared in delight when Sixers’ drawcard Steve Smith, who averaged 60 in the tournament at a strike rate of 168 yet finds himself out of T20 World Cup reckoning, dejectedly departed for 24 when all-rounder Hardie reviewed for lbw.
Fortunate to survive three missed run outs in the space of five balls, skipper Moises Henriques was caught for 24 off the medium pace of Payne, who ended with 3-18.
Fast bowler Mahli Beardman, on the cusp of international selection, closed out the innings with two wickets and a run out in the final over.
The Australia squad will fly to Pakistan for three 20-over matches in preparation for their first T20 World Cup fixture against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.
