It may only have been a friendly but Brazil’s victory in the Superclásico de las Américas will no doubt create several questions for new Argentina manager, Gerardo Martino. Brazil, also under new management, with Dunga back in charge for a second spell, were outplayed for large parts of the match but Diego Tardelli took advantage of some dreadful defending to score twice and give Brazil a morale-boosting win after their calamitous World Cup. Like Martino and the defence, Lionel Messi will also want to forget this match, as the Barcelona forward missed from the penalty spot just before half time.
Brazil, under Dunga, were always going to be a more difficult nut to crack from the side that lost 7-1 to Germany at the World Cup as the return of the World Cup winning captain. A more pragmatic side built to play on the break were second best in the early exchanges as Ángel Di María buzzed around and Argentina threatened without causing Jefferson to much worry.
In one of the few telling contributions of Sergio Agüero as the side’s number 9, the Manchester City should have been awarded an early penalty but the Chinese officials waved play on. An early indication of the level of refereeing that was later displayed.
Brazil had done little so far but in the 28th minute, Pablo Zabaleta and Federico Fernández converged on the same cross, neither dealing with it sufficiently and Tardelli waiting at the back post volleyed the ball into the far corner. The first mistake of many by the defence but Sergio Romero will also feel that he could have done better as the ball bounced through his attempts to parry.
Having already denied Argentina one clear-cut penalty, the referee then awarded a gift by way of compensation as Di María was tackled running into the penalty area and inexplicably a foul was called. Lionel Messi stepped up but saw his weak effort saved by Jefferson to the joy of Ronaldo and Tevez trolls on Twitter.
Neymar on a couple of occasions danced through the floundering Argentine defence only to fluff his final lines but Martino will have been less than impressed at the ease in which his side were opened up.
Tardelli added a second with a close range header from a symbolically defended corner and Argentina limped to a first defeat under Tata Martino.
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