Brazil 0-1 Argentina
A first-half goal by Gabriel Mercado gave Argentina a morale-boosting win over Brazil in front of 95,569 fanatical supporters in the world’s biggest sport-loving nation.
Australians rarely get to see live football games with the stratospheric talents of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Gabriel Jesus and Paulo Dybala to name but a few; so this was a real treat for Aussie footy lovers and sports betting fans. And the two top-ranked teams in the world were well up for it too!
While Brazil, the world’s number one, have already qualified for the 2018 World Cup, betting odds slightly favoured Argentina. That was borne out by the hunger Jorge Sampaoli’s side showed from the off. Tackles were flying in from both sides, but it was Argentina who came close after just seven minutes when Paulo Dybala fed Angel Di Maria and the PSG man crashed his shot against the post.
Philippe Coutinho was in lively form for Brazil, running with the ball glued to his feet. Jesus showed some fine touches while Messi pulled strings for Argentina, almost putting Di Maria through for another shot at goal.
Then on the stroke of half-time Argentina’s endeavour paid off when Di Maria hit a sublime cross for Nicolas Otamendi, who headed against the post and Mercado was first on hand to tap in the rebound.
After the break, Brazil pressed hard for an equaliser. Jesus tested Sergio Romero in the Argentina goal twice, before Mercado denied the Manchester City wonder-kid a goal with a smart-headed interception. But Argentina held on for an important win.
It’s a huge boost for Jorge Sampaoli’s team as it tries to get World Cup qualification on track. And Australia will welcome these teams back anytime!
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