Alfio Basile`s side had barely scraped a 1-1 draw at home to Ecuador on Sunday but produced a much-improved performance against their traditional rivals.

However, the result placed increasing pressure on Brazil coach Dunga following the loss to Paraguay as he came in for criticism from fans after the final whistle.

Argentina were first to threaten when Julio Cruz got on the end of Jonas Gutierrez`s cross but his header failed to extend keeper Julio Cesar.

Opposite number Roberto Abbondanzieri was then called into action after 22 minutes when he produced an exceptional save to deny Julio Baptista shot before midfielder Anderson was forced off with a knee injury after 34 minutes and replaced by Diego.

Gabriel Heinze and Juan Roman Riquelme then combined brilliantly to put Cruz clean through on goal but he fired over the bar.

Baptista then tested Abbondanzieri with a free-kick before Cesar saved Riquelme`s long-range effort.

Dunga introduced Luis Fabiano with 20 minutes to go in a bid to give Brazil a more cutting edge and Abbondanzieri repelled an acrobatic effort from Baptista.

Lionel Messi then fed Sergio Aguero but the substitute fired high over the bar as Argentina enjoyed the better of the final exchanges.

Cesar pulled off an excellent stop to deny Messi in injury time and the midfielder was roundly applauded by the Brazilian fans when he was subsequently replaced by Rodrigo Palacio.

Neither side could find a late breakthrough as the game ended in a stalemate and Argentina now lie second in the table on 11 points while Brazil are fourth, two points behind their rivals.