Jorge Sampaoli has begun his reign at Argentina with a morale-boosting win as Lionel Messi and co edged Brazil 1-0 in front of a capacity crowd at the MCG on Friday night.
The two South American powerhouses - ranked one and two in the world - delivered an entertaining superclasico before more than 95,000 people.
The only goal of the game was scored by Gabriel Mercado (45’) however Gabriel Jesus missed an open goal in the second half which should have been an equaliser.
A closer look at Mercado's goal. #BRAvARG #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/bUdwDYpOhe
— 9Go! (@9Go) June 9, 2017
It only took six minutes for the first real chance to come as Dybala played in Angel Di Maria, who elected to shoot instead of cross from an acute angle and hit the post.
Brazil started to create chances for themselves after settling, in the 22nd minute, Willian a golden opportunity for Coutinho, who elected to take Sergio Romero on instead of shooting and the chance was snuffed out.
Di Maria continued to look lively in the first half, his cross which was easily cleared landed straight back at him and his volley forced a save from Weverton.
😬 😬 #BRAvARG #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/BVNS2nJOrR
— 9Go! (@9Go) June 9, 2017
Argentina scored on the brink of half-time, Di Maria influential once again as his cross landed to Nicolas Otamendi whose shot hit the post, and it didn’t matter as Mercado scored in the six-yard-box.
Brazil looked better in the second half and began to look more threatening on the hour mark, a galloping Gabriel Jesus resulted in a shot which was palmed away by Romero with one hand.
After a tough loss, we chat with Willian after that match. #BRAvARG #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/kpsSEvrpqV
— 9Go! (@9Go) June 9, 2017
Just a minute later, a killer ball by Fernandinho was through to Gabriel Jesus, he went around the goalkeeper and had an open goal, only to hit the left post. It then landed to Willian who hit the right post, causing pandemonium in the stands.
Brazil continued to pile on the pressure however Argentina were able to contain and at the end the boys in yellow prevailed.
Argentina now jet off to play Singapore at their national stadium next Tuesday while Brazil meet the Socceroos at the MCG on Tuesday.
Brazil: 1. WEVERTON, 2. FAGNER (73’ 18. RAFINHA), 3. THIAGO SILVA, 4. GIL, 5. 5. FERNANDINHO, 6. FILIPE LUIS, 8. RENATO AUGUSTO (66’ 7. Douglas COSTA), 9. GABRIEL JESUS, 11. COUTINHO, 15. PAULINHO (81’ 10. GIULIANO), 19. WILLIAN
Argentina: 1. Sergio ROMERO, 2. Gabriel MERCADO (75’ 15. Emanuel MAMMANA), 4. Jonatan MAIDANA, 6. Lucas BIGLIA, 9. Gonzalo HIGUAIN (46’ 24. Carlos Joaquin CORREA), 10. Lionel MESSI, 11. Angel DI MARIA, 16. Jose Luis GOMEZ (51’25. Nicolas TAGLIAFICO), 17. Nicolas OTAMENDI, 19. Ever BANEGA (81’ 20. LANZINI Manuel), 21. Paulo DYBALA (69’ 27. Guido RODRIGUEZ)
Referee: Chris Beath
Attendance: 95,569
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