Sports / Soccer
Messi grabs a hat trick as Argentina dismiss Brazil
09 Jun 2012 at 19:57hrs | Views
That was probably the best game I have witnessed in the last few years. In the end it was Messi who won it for Argentina with a sublime finish but Brazil have done well to take the Albiceleste so far. Positive signs for both teams in a truly excellent match.
90′ +4
IT'S OVER!
90′ +3
Aguero goes through on goal and drags a shot wide but realises as he turns around that he was offside.
90′ +1
Red Card Marcelo
90′ +1
Red Card Ezequiel Lavezzi
90′ +1
Marcelo stole the ball away from Lavezzi who had a high arm that brushed the left-back who swung an arm in retaliation as he fell to the floor. Dramatic end to the game though neither were really deserved.
90′ +1
RED CARD!! Lavezzi has only been sent off after a ruckus with Marcelo. Now the left-back has been shown one too! That is two red cards now and both teams will end with 10 men.
90′
We have three minutes of added time to be played.
88′
Substitution Clemente Rodríguez Hugo Armando Campagnaro
88′
Substitution Gonzalo Higuaín Ezequiel Lavezzi
87′
What a goal from the Argentine wizard. I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Do Brazil have an answer now?
85′
Goal Lionel Messi
MESSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIII!!! HAT-TRICK!! What a marvelous strike. He picks the ball up deep on the right and drives at goal. The Braizl defence fail to close him down and he bends a stunning left-foot shot into the top corner leaving Rafael helpless.
84′
AWFUL!! Brazil counter at unbelievable pace and have five players up against Brazil and Giuliano misses.
83′
Substitution Hulk Lucas
83′
GOOD SAVE!! Messi bends it on target from the centre of the D. Rafael makes a photograph save to palm the ball away to his left for an Argentina corner.
82′
Yellow Card Casemiro
82′
Messi scythes through the heart of Brazil and is brought down by Casemiro after sliding between him and Juan. Argentina have a free kick from the top of the box now.
80′
Substitution Rafael Danilo
80′
FANTASTIC INTERCEPTION!! A deflected pass falls into the pass of Neymar who rounds Romero with his first touch. He is wide of the goal and as he tries to pass the ball along the floor and into the net, Fernandez slides in and sends it behind for a corner.
78′
This has been a truly fantastic game of football! With just over 10 minutes left there could well be a few twist and turns before this game is over.
76′
Assist Kun Agüero
76′
Goal Federico Fernández
GOOOOOOOOAAAALLL!! Fernandez!! What a game we have here! Aguero makes an instant impact as he delivers an excellent corner. Fernandez is moving away from goal but gets his header on target and it goes in off the post.
74′
Substitution Romulo Casemiro
74′
Substitution Á. di María Kun Agüero
74′
Sabella clearly not happy to go behind and is going to bring on Sergio Aguero to help liven things up. Casemiro replaces the injured Romulo for Brazil. What an end we have set up here.
72′
Assist Neymar Santos Júnior
72′
Goal Hulk
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAL!! Awful goalkeeping! Neymar's corner is spilled by the unchallenged Romero and it falls straight to Hulk who lashes the ball into the back of the net to give Brazil the lead.
70′
That was a great chance! Mascherano is caught on the ball by Neymar on the edge of his own final third. He tries to then knock the ball to Pato but it is weighted too heavily and the AC Milan striker cannot reach it.
68′
Leandro Damiao is replaced by Alexandre Pato but the Internacional striker will again be disheartened at not having scored a goal. His role in the second though should provide him with some consolation as it showed a different side to his game.
67′
Substitution Leandro D. Alexandre Pato
66′
Brazil are in the ascendancy after their goal. Another corner by Neymar is met by the head of Bruno Uvini despite being surrounded by Albiceleste players. He heads the ball down and it bounces wide of the target.
65′
Hulk delivers a free kick from deep on the left and once again the Argentina defence is all over the place. Leandro Damiao is in acres of space when he meets it at the near post but he fails to divert the ball on goal with his first touch.
63′
The free kick is whipped in and Leandro Damiao almost turns the ball into his own net with a diving header to intercept it. Rafael was rooted to the spot but it flew well wide of the goal.
62′
Argentina are awarded a free kick on the right in a similar position to that which Brazil capitalised on in the first half. It looked like a decent challenge by Sandro there though.
61′
Substitution José Sosa Guiñazu
60′
Substitution Oscar Giuliano
60′
Oscar has made way now with what looks like a bit of a knock. He is replaced by former Internacional man Giuliano.
59′
Yellow Card Javier Mascherano
58′
That was Oscar's first international goal and that will only serve to further the specualtion over Ganso's role at the Olympics. A beautifully worked goal in yet another exemplary performance from the youngster.
56′
Assist Leandro D.
56′
Goal Oscar
GOOOOOOOAAAL!! OSCAR!! Absolutely sumptuous play from Brazil. Oscar plays a pass into his Internacional team-mate Leandro Damiao on the top of the box. He traps the ball with his back to goal and holds the play up as Oscar follows his pass. He lays the ball back across to him and he lifts it past Romero and into the net.
54′
Brazil's defence is being pulled apart here. Di Maria plays a through-ball up to Higuain with the outside of his foot. The striker shrugs of Bruno Uvini and looks to get the ball into the far corner but he scuffs the effort and misses the target.
53′
The game is so stretched it is unbelievable! There is chance after chance as Higuain powers a missile of a shot on goal but Rafael Cabral holds it.
52′
ANOTHER CHANCE!! This time it goes the way of Argentina as Di Maria breaks down the right. With the ball on his weak side he tries to poke the ball at goal with his left. It lacks power and direction and Rafael Cabral can make an easy save.
51′
HE'S MISSED!! Hulk looks unstoppable as he shimmies past Fernandez on the left and unleashes a shot at goal. He fails to hit the target but this has been a great start to the half.
50′
Messi drops deep and picks up the ball from Mascherano on the centre spot. He looks up and sees Higuain on the shoulder of Juan and tries to thread a pass up to him. It is intercepted but ricochets back into the path of the striker, however the assistant referee raises his flag.
49′
Yellow Card Gonzalo Higuaín
49′
Sandro bulldozes his way forward, beating two players before passing to Rafael da Silva on his right. He tries to whip in a cross but Clemente is stuck close to him and manages to get the ball away without conceding a corner.
48′
A great ball onto the top is almost met by Messi after he timed his run superbly but Rafael Cabral comes out and manages to gather the ball despite the best efforts of the Barcelona man.
47′
Zabaleta exploits the space behind Marcelo and has time to deliver the ball as Juan is reluctant to close him down. His cross is poor but to be fair to him there was only one Argentina player in the box.
47′
Zabaleta exploits the space behind Marcelo and has time to deliver the ball as Juan is reluctant to close him down. His cross is poor but to be fair to him there was only one Argentina player in the box.
46′
We're back underway and there has been no substitutions.
Messi's second goal this evening was his 300th career goal and his 25th for Argentina. What a man this guy is! That makes him Argentina's fourth highest scorer of all time, behind Batistuta, Crespo and Maradona. Not bad company.
Welcome back! The teams are out for the second half and we will be underway shortly.
I'll be back in 15 minutes for the second half. If it is even half as good as that first period it will be worth watching!
The half-time whistle goes and Argentina lead by two goals to one. Brazil were arguably the better side but after Romulo gave them the lead, a composed double from Messi has given the Albiceleste command of the game. Nevertheless some pleasing signs for Brazil but Sabella will want to see his players test the opposing centre-backs even more in the next half.
45′
Oscar has advanced more now and is helping carve apart the Argentina defence in one of Brazil's best spells. He sees his shot deflected behind by Gago who tracks him well and moments later Sandro somehow heads over the bar after getting free in the area.
43′
TWO CHANCES FOR BRAZIL!! Firstly, Neymar slips in Hulk and he rounds the keeper but is forced too wide and cannot get a shot away. He holds the ball and when Oscar's cross is miscontrolled by Leandro Damiao it looks like it might break for Neymar but Romero smothers his shot and it goes behind.
42′
Zabaleta gets forward for the first time this evening and is slotted in by Di Maria. He is sent close to the byeline and opts to shoot from the acute angle but blazes over the bar.
40′
Garay gives the ball away out on the left and Leandro Damiao carries it into the area. He has just one team-mate in support and his cutback is intercepted by the Benfica defender.
38′
Yellow Card Rafael
38′
That was Messi's seventh goal in four games for Argentina. Who says he does not give his best for the national team? Two excellent finishes from him tonight.
36′
WHAT A MISS!! Neymar is being allowed to roam with far too much freedom and again he charges at the defence through the middle. He could have slid the ball to his left but he held on and played in Hulk. All he had to do was lift it over Romero but again he shoots straight at the keeper.
34′
Assist Á. di María
34′
Goal Lionel Messi
GOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! MESSI!! He's only gone and got another! Again he is not picked up after a give-and-go with Di Maria. He picks the ball up in space, rounds Cabral and slots the ball into the open net. The game has been turned on its head.
33′
That was Argentina's first real chance of the game but as feared Messi was able to exploit the inexperienced defensive partnership. It was great pressing by Higuain to win the ball back though.
31′
Assist Gonzalo Higuaín
31′
Goal Lionel Messi
GOOOOAAALL!! MESSI!! Higuain dispossesses Sandro in the middle of the park and slides the ball to Messi. Bruno Uvini and Juan have given him too much space and he surges through the middle and slots the ball into the bottom corner. It was never in doubt.
31′
Another penalty shout for Brazil! A quick break enables him to stride through the defence and burst into the area. He takes a shove in the back from Garay but his fall is delayed and he is given nothing.
30′
Argentina are lacking movement in the middle of the park. There seems to be a few more yellow shirts everywhere they go.
28′
PENALTY CLAIM!! Sandro clips the ball over the top and Neymar latches onto it. He is closed down by Romero and Zabaleta but he squeezes between and pokes the ball away. He is felled by the Manchester City man but the referee does not award anything.
27′
Romulo's goal means that both Argentina and Brazil have scored 151 times when playing each other. That is an average of over three a game so technically we should be able to look forward to more!
25′
Argentina then almost capitalise on a free kick of their own moments later. Messi whips it in and with Rafael Cabral caught out of his goal, Sandro heads the ball dangerously close to his own goal. Fortunately for him it drops on the roof of the net.
23′
Assist Neymar Santos Júnior
23′
Goal Romulo
GOOOOOAAALLL!!! Romulo!! Argentina go to sleep at a free kick and Neymar sends it in quickly. Romulo gets acres of space just 12 yards from goal and after an initially poor touch he manages to find the back of the net. His first international goal.
21′
Oscar is playing in a much deeper role for Brazil tonight which is seeing a reduction in his creativity. However, he remains confident on the ball and is knocking it about well. He helps build a move to get Neymar in behind but the striker is offside.
19′
That could have been so much worse! Romero receives the ball from Zabaleta and takes his time on the goal kick. It hits Leandro Damiao as he closes down the keeper and loops into the air. It seems to be up there for an age but Romero manages to claim it eventually.
18′
Leandro Damiao will be desperate to get on the scoresheet tonight having failed to score for his country since September. He has been relatively quiet in the last three friendlies and it is not for a lack of service.
16′
GREAT SAVE!! Hulk peels off his marker and is played in over the top. He shoots from space but his effort is headed for the near post. Romero stays big and parries the ball behind for a corner.
14′
The Albiceleste are certainly working their way into this now. They are enjoying a bit more possession having been looking to counter in the early stages. Clemente finds space on the left but his cross is headed away.
12′
Yellow Card Fernando Gago
12′
Excellent challenge! The game has become very open and Messi takes the opportunity to try and exploit a gap between the centre-backs. Bruno Uvini is wise to it though and manages to win the ball off the record-breaking forward with an excellent tackle inside the area.
11′
Brazil counter with Hulk laying the ball off to Neymar. He holds of the challenge of Clemente who is chasing back to help the defence. He moves the ball out of his feets and strikes the ball narrowly wide of Romero's goal.
10′
Messi drops back to pick up the ball but he is closed down quickly by Sandro who knocks it out of play. Zabaleta takes the throw in quickly and finds Di Maria. The Real Madrid man has no options so shoots from distance and misses the target.
8′
Argentina are struggling to get their foot on the ball as Sandro, Romulo and Oscar play a series of lateral passes on the edge of the final third before Marcelo darts into space. He opts to shoot from range but his effort is dragged well wide of the goal.
7′
Brazil's attack has been very fluid so far. Hulk now appearing on the left tries to make his way down to the byeline. Fernandez comes across and makes a well-timed sliding challenge to knock the ball out of play for a throw in.
5′
The Selecao are pressing very high here, a theme in all of their recent friendlies. They are squeezing the space and forcing Argentina into errors. Sandro is released down the right and he centres the ball but it is too close to Romero and Leandro Damiao cannot get on the end of it.
3′
Great start from Brazil! A long ball up from defence is controlled on the chest of Leandro Damiao. He cushions it back to the supporting Neymar who tries to bend the ball into the corner from 25 yards but he misses the target. Positive early signs here.
2′
A great interchange between Neymar and Oscar enables the Santos man to break forward. He drives into the centre of the pitch and tries to thread a pass through to Leandro Damiao but he overhits the it and it runs through to Romero.
1′
We're off at the Met Life Stadium! Brazil shooting from left to right in their traditional kit. Argentina in their home shirt with white shorts and socks this evening.
Sandro captains Brazil tonight and the pre-match handshakes have been conducted. Kick off is just a few seconds away.
The players are out and enjoying the national anthems. A hugely impressive crowd of roughly 83,000 is expected for tonight's match. They will no doubt be interested to see how this Olympic Selecao will cope against some of the world's greatest attacking talents.
As mentioned Brazil are unable to call upon Thiago Silva tonight and so Bruno Uvini slots into the heart of defence. The other change from the defeat to Mexico sees Rafael da Silva come in at right back in the stead of Porto's Danilo.
Alejandro Sabella had tested out a 5-3-2 in training over the past week but has decided to stick with a more familiar formation. With Sergio Aguero unavailable for their next World Cup qualifier the Manchester City player is relegated to the bench. Jose Sosa and Gonzalo Higuain come into the side that could well line up in a similar manner to that of Brazil.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Rafael Cabral; Rafael da Silva, Bruno Uvini, Juan, Marcelo; Sandro, Romulo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Leandro Damiao.
Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Rodriguez; Mascherano, Gago, Sosa; Higuain, Messi, Di Maria.
The line-ups are out and they will be winging their way to you shortly. Perhaps the biggest news of the evening is that there is no Thiago Silva for Brazil who has failed to recover from a knock in time for the fixture. Former Tottenham Hotspur loanee Bruno Uvini will fill in at centre-back for the Selecao.
This will be the 98th meeting between these two iconic nations and Brazil hold a slender lead in the amount of wins. They have just two more victories than Argentina with 37 to their name, but tonight could go some way to tipping the balance. Mano Menezes has used the recent friendlies as an exercise for his Olympic Games hopefuls so Argentina hold the upper hands in terms of experience.
Hello and welcome to Goal.com's LIVE text commentary on tonight's prestigious friendly between two of international football's great rivals. Argentina take on Brazil in a friendly at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. Forget the clash with Euro 2012, this is the place to be tonight with the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Neymar on show. My name is Tom Webber and I will be guiding you through all the action this evening.
90′ +4
IT'S OVER!
90′ +3
Aguero goes through on goal and drags a shot wide but realises as he turns around that he was offside.
90′ +1
Red Card Marcelo
90′ +1
Red Card Ezequiel Lavezzi
90′ +1
Marcelo stole the ball away from Lavezzi who had a high arm that brushed the left-back who swung an arm in retaliation as he fell to the floor. Dramatic end to the game though neither were really deserved.
90′ +1
RED CARD!! Lavezzi has only been sent off after a ruckus with Marcelo. Now the left-back has been shown one too! That is two red cards now and both teams will end with 10 men.
90′
We have three minutes of added time to be played.
88′
Substitution Clemente Rodríguez Hugo Armando Campagnaro
88′
Substitution Gonzalo Higuaín Ezequiel Lavezzi
87′
What a goal from the Argentine wizard. I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Do Brazil have an answer now?
85′
Goal Lionel Messi
MESSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIII!!! HAT-TRICK!! What a marvelous strike. He picks the ball up deep on the right and drives at goal. The Braizl defence fail to close him down and he bends a stunning left-foot shot into the top corner leaving Rafael helpless.
84′
AWFUL!! Brazil counter at unbelievable pace and have five players up against Brazil and Giuliano misses.
83′
Substitution Hulk Lucas
83′
GOOD SAVE!! Messi bends it on target from the centre of the D. Rafael makes a photograph save to palm the ball away to his left for an Argentina corner.
82′
Yellow Card Casemiro
82′
Messi scythes through the heart of Brazil and is brought down by Casemiro after sliding between him and Juan. Argentina have a free kick from the top of the box now.
80′
Substitution Rafael Danilo
80′
FANTASTIC INTERCEPTION!! A deflected pass falls into the pass of Neymar who rounds Romero with his first touch. He is wide of the goal and as he tries to pass the ball along the floor and into the net, Fernandez slides in and sends it behind for a corner.
78′
This has been a truly fantastic game of football! With just over 10 minutes left there could well be a few twist and turns before this game is over.
76′
Assist Kun Agüero
76′
Goal Federico Fernández
GOOOOOOOOAAAALLL!! Fernandez!! What a game we have here! Aguero makes an instant impact as he delivers an excellent corner. Fernandez is moving away from goal but gets his header on target and it goes in off the post.
74′
Substitution Romulo Casemiro
74′
Substitution Á. di María Kun Agüero
74′
Sabella clearly not happy to go behind and is going to bring on Sergio Aguero to help liven things up. Casemiro replaces the injured Romulo for Brazil. What an end we have set up here.
72′
Assist Neymar Santos Júnior
72′
Goal Hulk
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAL!! Awful goalkeeping! Neymar's corner is spilled by the unchallenged Romero and it falls straight to Hulk who lashes the ball into the back of the net to give Brazil the lead.
70′
That was a great chance! Mascherano is caught on the ball by Neymar on the edge of his own final third. He tries to then knock the ball to Pato but it is weighted too heavily and the AC Milan striker cannot reach it.
68′
Leandro Damiao is replaced by Alexandre Pato but the Internacional striker will again be disheartened at not having scored a goal. His role in the second though should provide him with some consolation as it showed a different side to his game.
67′
Substitution Leandro D. Alexandre Pato
66′
Brazil are in the ascendancy after their goal. Another corner by Neymar is met by the head of Bruno Uvini despite being surrounded by Albiceleste players. He heads the ball down and it bounces wide of the target.
65′
Hulk delivers a free kick from deep on the left and once again the Argentina defence is all over the place. Leandro Damiao is in acres of space when he meets it at the near post but he fails to divert the ball on goal with his first touch.
63′
The free kick is whipped in and Leandro Damiao almost turns the ball into his own net with a diving header to intercept it. Rafael was rooted to the spot but it flew well wide of the goal.
62′
Argentina are awarded a free kick on the right in a similar position to that which Brazil capitalised on in the first half. It looked like a decent challenge by Sandro there though.
61′
Substitution José Sosa Guiñazu
60′
Substitution Oscar Giuliano
60′
Oscar has made way now with what looks like a bit of a knock. He is replaced by former Internacional man Giuliano.
59′
Yellow Card Javier Mascherano
58′
That was Oscar's first international goal and that will only serve to further the specualtion over Ganso's role at the Olympics. A beautifully worked goal in yet another exemplary performance from the youngster.
56′
Assist Leandro D.
56′
Goal Oscar
GOOOOOOOAAAL!! OSCAR!! Absolutely sumptuous play from Brazil. Oscar plays a pass into his Internacional team-mate Leandro Damiao on the top of the box. He traps the ball with his back to goal and holds the play up as Oscar follows his pass. He lays the ball back across to him and he lifts it past Romero and into the net.
54′
Brazil's defence is being pulled apart here. Di Maria plays a through-ball up to Higuain with the outside of his foot. The striker shrugs of Bruno Uvini and looks to get the ball into the far corner but he scuffs the effort and misses the target.
53′
The game is so stretched it is unbelievable! There is chance after chance as Higuain powers a missile of a shot on goal but Rafael Cabral holds it.
52′
ANOTHER CHANCE!! This time it goes the way of Argentina as Di Maria breaks down the right. With the ball on his weak side he tries to poke the ball at goal with his left. It lacks power and direction and Rafael Cabral can make an easy save.
51′
HE'S MISSED!! Hulk looks unstoppable as he shimmies past Fernandez on the left and unleashes a shot at goal. He fails to hit the target but this has been a great start to the half.
50′
Messi drops deep and picks up the ball from Mascherano on the centre spot. He looks up and sees Higuain on the shoulder of Juan and tries to thread a pass up to him. It is intercepted but ricochets back into the path of the striker, however the assistant referee raises his flag.
49′
Yellow Card Gonzalo Higuaín
49′
Sandro bulldozes his way forward, beating two players before passing to Rafael da Silva on his right. He tries to whip in a cross but Clemente is stuck close to him and manages to get the ball away without conceding a corner.
48′
A great ball onto the top is almost met by Messi after he timed his run superbly but Rafael Cabral comes out and manages to gather the ball despite the best efforts of the Barcelona man.
47′
Zabaleta exploits the space behind Marcelo and has time to deliver the ball as Juan is reluctant to close him down. His cross is poor but to be fair to him there was only one Argentina player in the box.
47′
Zabaleta exploits the space behind Marcelo and has time to deliver the ball as Juan is reluctant to close him down. His cross is poor but to be fair to him there was only one Argentina player in the box.
46′
We're back underway and there has been no substitutions.
Messi's second goal this evening was his 300th career goal and his 25th for Argentina. What a man this guy is! That makes him Argentina's fourth highest scorer of all time, behind Batistuta, Crespo and Maradona. Not bad company.
Welcome back! The teams are out for the second half and we will be underway shortly.
I'll be back in 15 minutes for the second half. If it is even half as good as that first period it will be worth watching!
The half-time whistle goes and Argentina lead by two goals to one. Brazil were arguably the better side but after Romulo gave them the lead, a composed double from Messi has given the Albiceleste command of the game. Nevertheless some pleasing signs for Brazil but Sabella will want to see his players test the opposing centre-backs even more in the next half.
45′
Oscar has advanced more now and is helping carve apart the Argentina defence in one of Brazil's best spells. He sees his shot deflected behind by Gago who tracks him well and moments later Sandro somehow heads over the bar after getting free in the area.
43′
TWO CHANCES FOR BRAZIL!! Firstly, Neymar slips in Hulk and he rounds the keeper but is forced too wide and cannot get a shot away. He holds the ball and when Oscar's cross is miscontrolled by Leandro Damiao it looks like it might break for Neymar but Romero smothers his shot and it goes behind.
42′
Zabaleta gets forward for the first time this evening and is slotted in by Di Maria. He is sent close to the byeline and opts to shoot from the acute angle but blazes over the bar.
40′
Garay gives the ball away out on the left and Leandro Damiao carries it into the area. He has just one team-mate in support and his cutback is intercepted by the Benfica defender.
38′
Yellow Card Rafael
38′
That was Messi's seventh goal in four games for Argentina. Who says he does not give his best for the national team? Two excellent finishes from him tonight.
36′
WHAT A MISS!! Neymar is being allowed to roam with far too much freedom and again he charges at the defence through the middle. He could have slid the ball to his left but he held on and played in Hulk. All he had to do was lift it over Romero but again he shoots straight at the keeper.
34′
Assist Á. di María
34′
Goal Lionel Messi
GOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! MESSI!! He's only gone and got another! Again he is not picked up after a give-and-go with Di Maria. He picks the ball up in space, rounds Cabral and slots the ball into the open net. The game has been turned on its head.
33′
That was Argentina's first real chance of the game but as feared Messi was able to exploit the inexperienced defensive partnership. It was great pressing by Higuain to win the ball back though.
31′
Assist Gonzalo Higuaín
31′
Goal Lionel Messi
GOOOOAAALL!! MESSI!! Higuain dispossesses Sandro in the middle of the park and slides the ball to Messi. Bruno Uvini and Juan have given him too much space and he surges through the middle and slots the ball into the bottom corner. It was never in doubt.
31′
Another penalty shout for Brazil! A quick break enables him to stride through the defence and burst into the area. He takes a shove in the back from Garay but his fall is delayed and he is given nothing.
30′
Argentina are lacking movement in the middle of the park. There seems to be a few more yellow shirts everywhere they go.
28′
PENALTY CLAIM!! Sandro clips the ball over the top and Neymar latches onto it. He is closed down by Romero and Zabaleta but he squeezes between and pokes the ball away. He is felled by the Manchester City man but the referee does not award anything.
27′
Romulo's goal means that both Argentina and Brazil have scored 151 times when playing each other. That is an average of over three a game so technically we should be able to look forward to more!
25′
Argentina then almost capitalise on a free kick of their own moments later. Messi whips it in and with Rafael Cabral caught out of his goal, Sandro heads the ball dangerously close to his own goal. Fortunately for him it drops on the roof of the net.
23′
Assist Neymar Santos Júnior
23′
Goal Romulo
GOOOOOAAALLL!!! Romulo!! Argentina go to sleep at a free kick and Neymar sends it in quickly. Romulo gets acres of space just 12 yards from goal and after an initially poor touch he manages to find the back of the net. His first international goal.
21′
Oscar is playing in a much deeper role for Brazil tonight which is seeing a reduction in his creativity. However, he remains confident on the ball and is knocking it about well. He helps build a move to get Neymar in behind but the striker is offside.
19′
That could have been so much worse! Romero receives the ball from Zabaleta and takes his time on the goal kick. It hits Leandro Damiao as he closes down the keeper and loops into the air. It seems to be up there for an age but Romero manages to claim it eventually.
18′
Leandro Damiao will be desperate to get on the scoresheet tonight having failed to score for his country since September. He has been relatively quiet in the last three friendlies and it is not for a lack of service.
16′
GREAT SAVE!! Hulk peels off his marker and is played in over the top. He shoots from space but his effort is headed for the near post. Romero stays big and parries the ball behind for a corner.
14′
The Albiceleste are certainly working their way into this now. They are enjoying a bit more possession having been looking to counter in the early stages. Clemente finds space on the left but his cross is headed away.
12′
Yellow Card Fernando Gago
12′
Excellent challenge! The game has become very open and Messi takes the opportunity to try and exploit a gap between the centre-backs. Bruno Uvini is wise to it though and manages to win the ball off the record-breaking forward with an excellent tackle inside the area.
11′
Brazil counter with Hulk laying the ball off to Neymar. He holds of the challenge of Clemente who is chasing back to help the defence. He moves the ball out of his feets and strikes the ball narrowly wide of Romero's goal.
10′
Messi drops back to pick up the ball but he is closed down quickly by Sandro who knocks it out of play. Zabaleta takes the throw in quickly and finds Di Maria. The Real Madrid man has no options so shoots from distance and misses the target.
8′
Argentina are struggling to get their foot on the ball as Sandro, Romulo and Oscar play a series of lateral passes on the edge of the final third before Marcelo darts into space. He opts to shoot from range but his effort is dragged well wide of the goal.
7′
Brazil's attack has been very fluid so far. Hulk now appearing on the left tries to make his way down to the byeline. Fernandez comes across and makes a well-timed sliding challenge to knock the ball out of play for a throw in.
5′
The Selecao are pressing very high here, a theme in all of their recent friendlies. They are squeezing the space and forcing Argentina into errors. Sandro is released down the right and he centres the ball but it is too close to Romero and Leandro Damiao cannot get on the end of it.
3′
Great start from Brazil! A long ball up from defence is controlled on the chest of Leandro Damiao. He cushions it back to the supporting Neymar who tries to bend the ball into the corner from 25 yards but he misses the target. Positive early signs here.
2′
A great interchange between Neymar and Oscar enables the Santos man to break forward. He drives into the centre of the pitch and tries to thread a pass through to Leandro Damiao but he overhits the it and it runs through to Romero.
1′
We're off at the Met Life Stadium! Brazil shooting from left to right in their traditional kit. Argentina in their home shirt with white shorts and socks this evening.
Sandro captains Brazil tonight and the pre-match handshakes have been conducted. Kick off is just a few seconds away.
The players are out and enjoying the national anthems. A hugely impressive crowd of roughly 83,000 is expected for tonight's match. They will no doubt be interested to see how this Olympic Selecao will cope against some of the world's greatest attacking talents.
As mentioned Brazil are unable to call upon Thiago Silva tonight and so Bruno Uvini slots into the heart of defence. The other change from the defeat to Mexico sees Rafael da Silva come in at right back in the stead of Porto's Danilo.
Alejandro Sabella had tested out a 5-3-2 in training over the past week but has decided to stick with a more familiar formation. With Sergio Aguero unavailable for their next World Cup qualifier the Manchester City player is relegated to the bench. Jose Sosa and Gonzalo Higuain come into the side that could well line up in a similar manner to that of Brazil.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Rafael Cabral; Rafael da Silva, Bruno Uvini, Juan, Marcelo; Sandro, Romulo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Leandro Damiao.
Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Rodriguez; Mascherano, Gago, Sosa; Higuain, Messi, Di Maria.
The line-ups are out and they will be winging their way to you shortly. Perhaps the biggest news of the evening is that there is no Thiago Silva for Brazil who has failed to recover from a knock in time for the fixture. Former Tottenham Hotspur loanee Bruno Uvini will fill in at centre-back for the Selecao.
This will be the 98th meeting between these two iconic nations and Brazil hold a slender lead in the amount of wins. They have just two more victories than Argentina with 37 to their name, but tonight could go some way to tipping the balance. Mano Menezes has used the recent friendlies as an exercise for his Olympic Games hopefuls so Argentina hold the upper hands in terms of experience.
Hello and welcome to Goal.com's LIVE text commentary on tonight's prestigious friendly between two of international football's great rivals. Argentina take on Brazil in a friendly at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. Forget the clash with Euro 2012, this is the place to be tonight with the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Neymar on show. My name is Tom Webber and I will be guiding you through all the action this evening.
Source - Sports
