Neymar’s late show seals win for Brazil

By PEDRO FONSECA
Published on 21/09/2012 02:21

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.

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 Argentinian city of Resistencia on 3 October. “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 criticised, that’s why we give our best [possible] on the field,” said Neymar,

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 equalised 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 Brazil’s second win in four meetings with Alejandro Sabella’s 
Argentina.