Brazil failed to win for the fifth match in succession as Lionel Messi got the decisive goal on his return in Argentina's 1-0 victory.
2019 Friendlies
0-1
Match Report
Lionel Messi scored on his return from a three-month ban as Argentina beat bitter rivals Brazil 1-0 in Riyadh on Friday.
Messi missed Argentina's previous four matches due to a suspension for accusing CONMEBOL of favouring hosts Brazil – who won their semi-final meeting – at the Copa America and he made a decisive impact in the friendly, billed as the Superclasico de las Americas, as the Selecao's winless streak reached five games.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner earned Argentina an early penalty and netted at the second time of asking after Gabriel Jesus had also spurned an opportunity from 12 yards.
Match Events
9' Penalty Missed! (Jesus)
PENALTY TO BRAZIL! Firmino plays a clever short pass into Jesus who is under pressure from Paredes. He does really well to turn the defender, who falls over but leaves a leg hanging which catches the forward and the referee points to the spot.
BUT HE'S MISSED IT! Jesus looks very calm as he steps up to take the spot-kick and he tries to place it into the bottom right corner. The goalkeeper goes the wrong way but his shot wasn't on target anyway and it hits the outside of the post. Still 0-0!
13' GOAL! Brazil 0-1 Argentina (Messi)
MESSI SCORES! Alisson couldn't get to the rebound quick enough but Messi did and he had an easy finish as he put the ball into the back of the net from close range. 1-0 Argentina!
29' Paqueta's shot wide out
31' Messi’s shot blocked
45' CLOSE! Messi's shot stopped by Alisson
46' Sub! Coutinho replaces Paqueta
59' Ocampos' shot over the bar
66' Messi's long range free kick stopped by Alisson
69' Messi's free kick too straight
Line-ups
Brazil XI: Willian, T. Silva, Danilo, Sandro, Alisson, Casemiro, Firmino, Arthur, Jesus, Militao, Paqueta
Subs: Coutinho, Santos, Felipe, Marquinhos, Fabinho, Richarlison, Wesley, D. Luiz, Lodi, Aparecido, Fuzato, Rodrygo
Argentina XI: Messi, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Andrada, Paredes, Pezzella, Ocampos, De Paul, Lo Celso, Lautaro, Foyth
Subs: Aguero, E. Martinez, Kannemann, Acuna, Alario, Dybala, Musso, Saravia, G. Rodriguez, N. Gonzalez, Mac Allister, Dominguez