Melbourne: Argentina gained a confidence-boosting 1-0 win over Brazil in their Superclasico in Melbourne on Friday ahead of their make-or-break World Cup qualifiers later in the year.
A goal from Sevilla defender Gabriel Mercado right on half-time proved the eventual winner as Argentina matched the world’s number one ranked Brazilians at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The two-time world champions and second ranked team are struggling outside the automatic qualifying positions in fifth spot in the South American group with four games left while Brazil have already qualified for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.
Argentina have a friendly in Singapore next week ahead of their crucial next qualifier against Uruguay in Montevideo on August 31.
In manager Jorge Sampaoli’s first game in charge Argentina weathered a second-half fightback from Brazil with Gabriel and Willian hitting either posts in one flurry on goal.
Lionel Messi was largely contained by the Brazilian defence, but thrilled the crowd with his touches, flicks and darting runs in his much-anticipated appearance in Australia.
“I really rate the performance of our players today, even when they were not in the most comfortable situations,” Sampaoli said. “I think that some of our preparation wasn’t the best, but in the game the team played well and defended the Argentina shirt. he added further.
