When Brazil and Argentina play, there is an expectation for attractive football. But Tuesday’s edition of Brazil vs Argentina highlights left a lot to be desired.
Just four shots were placed on target during the friendly match on Tuesday, including just one from La Albiceleste, who are still without Lionel Messi.
Fortunately for Brazil, Neymar was involved, playing the full 90 — including a nice assist on the match winner in the 93rd minute.
Brazil dominated possession to the tune of 63 percent. Argentina committed 21 fouls (compared to 14 by Brazil), a relatively high number for a friendly.
The Seleção finally turned that possession into victory in the dying embers of the match. Neymar played in a perfect cross on a corner kick for Miranda to power into the back of the net past Sergio Romero for the winner.
The match was played before more than 60,000 fans in Saudi Arabia.
#LIVE: Brilliant turnout in #Jeddah for this #Brazil v. #Argentina clash - attendance has been announced as 62,345 - and the fans have been electric. Particularly impressive was this tifo before kick-off... #BRAvARG ( @gsaksa_en)https://t.co/1qKSWotfvp pic.twitter.com/s3CoUZSyW3
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 16, 2018
Brazil was given a trophy for winning a meaningless friendly, with some excessive postgame festivities put forth by the host Saudis.
Hahaha! They win a friendly and celebrate like it is World Cup #BrazilArgentina pic.twitter.com/Ro1a7kd5Nf
— Ibbe M (@Ibbe_M) October 16, 2018
Of course, Saudi Arabia will appreciate any sort of positive press right now after the country has been accused of murdering a journalist. Not that most countries will do anything about it — because politicians have admitted cheap oil is more valuable than the life of a journalist.