Argentina 0-1 Brazil
A late, late goal from Miranda gave Brazil a narrow win over Argentina in a game which was more of a battle than an exhibition.
It looked like we were heading for a goalless draw at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah when the Inter Milan defender rose highest to head the dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, and it was a little cruel on Argentina after they had given the favourites a real fight.
Our SBOBET tips went for a high-scoring game and while we had to wait until the 93rd minute to get one, there were plenty of yellow cards, five for Argentina and two for Brazil. But come on, the International Friendly: Brazil vs Argentina is never friendly. These are two of world football’s royalty.
Brazil head coach Tite is building an attacking side befitting his nation’s traditions, but they struggled to break down Argentina despite being heavily odds-on.
Lionel Scaloni was given the caretaker role as Argentina boss after the sacking of Jorge Sampaoli following a disappointing World Cup. While he can be proud of his team’s resolute defence, he missed the creativity of Messi.
Highlights of the game
With no Lionel Messi currently in their ranks, Argentina relied more on the other attacking talent at their disposal. Giovani Lo Celso had a busy first half, being the first to have a shot, coming close from outside the box.
Given the absence of Argentina’s talisman, the stage was set for Brazil’s Neymar to stake his claim as South America’s finest. He provided his team’s first chance, from a corner, but Miranda headed over. The big defender had another chance on the half-hour but his close-range effort was blocked.
Paulo Dybala tried his luck for Argentina, and Neymar came a little closer with a long-range effort as play swung to the other end. And the Argentine defence worked hard, blocking shots from Philippe Coutinho and Casemiro as the teams went in level at the break.
Brazil vs Argentina predictions rather expected Neymar and co to dominate, but Argentina were having none of it.
The underdogs made some progress down the flanks early in the second half, and Lo Celso had a header saved before German Pezzella planted one effort over the bar and another chance wide. Argentina were having the better of the game and Lo Celso found space to shoot, but his effort flew wide of the right-hand post.
As the game became a little fractious, there was a flurry of yellow cards for nasty fouls: Angel Correa and Lo Celso going in the book for Argentina, and Neymar catching a yellow for the Samba Boys.
Brazil began to get back on the front foot, and Neymar put in Arthur whose snap shot was saved. But time was running out when Neymar blasted over a free-kick on 77 minutes. Both teams pressed for a winner, and Casemiro had a shot blocked for Brazil before Pezzella had another headed attempt frustrated.
As the game moved into injury time, Richarlison had a shot blocked and Brazil won consecutive corners. And it was from the second, on 93 minutes swung over by Neymar, which Miranda headed home to send the Brazil fans wild and break Argentine hearts.
Key statistics
Brazil have been in good shape since the World Cup, winning comfortably against the USA and destroying El Salvador 5-0 in a three-match winning run since leaving Russia.
Argentina arrived in Saudi unbeaten in three and were agonisingly close to making it four.
Brazil had almost two-thirds of the possession, but the shot count was close with 12 shots to 11 in favour of Tite’s men.
And with 35 fouls and seven yellow cards, this wasn’t a game for the faint-hearted.
But Tite won’t mind winning like this against his fierce rivals, and head-to-heads in the Brazil vs Argentina results are now in the Samba Boys’ favour by 15 to five with four draws.
What’s next?
Next up for Tite’s team is Uruguay, who have just lost a friendly to Japan 4-3. Edinson Cavani was on target but was without his Russia 2018 partner in attack, Luis Suarez. The Barca man has been nursing a knee injury, but there could be fireworks if the two are reunited.
Argentina are up against Mexico who lost to Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16 but just overcame Costa Rica with a 3-2 win.
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