Brazil 0-1 Argentina: Messi completes Copa America revenge on his return

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

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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