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2 vs 0
Played
September 29, 2011 1:55 AM BST
Estádio Estadual Jornalista Edgar Augusto Proença — Belém, Pará
Referee:‬ Jorge Larrionda‎
 
54′ Lucas
 
 
Top of the Match
Neymar Santos Júnior
Neymar Santos Júnior
Brazil
Flop of the Match
Héctor Canteros
Héctor Canteros
Argentina

Brazil 2-0 Argentina: Unstoppable Lucas secures Superclasico triumph for the Selecao

The youngster opened the scoring to put the dominant Samba boys ahead in the first half, setting the home side on the path to victory against their continental rivals

By Daniel Edwards

Ronaldinho, Brazil
Clive Rose
A sparkling performance from Brazil wonderkid Lucas was the key for Mano Menezes' team, as they finally broke down Argentina to run out 2-0 winners in a two-legged friendly encounter more one-sided than the scoreline suggested.

After a 0-0 deadlock in the first leg in Argentina two weeks ago, the 19-year-old Lucas opened the scoring in the second-half with a 50 metre run and finish on the counter, before Neymar sealed the victory with a close-range finish which bobbled over the line thanks to an Argentine deflection.

Spurred on by a fanatical home crowd in Belem, which exploded with shrill screams every time Neymar in particular received the ball, Brazil dominated proceedings throughout the first 45 minutes. The Argentines looked solid at the back, but were pinned in their own half by the incursions of the Selecao wide men and offered little attacking threat.

Teenage starlet Lucas was in electric form in the first 45 minutes, and tortured the Argentine defence with his running from deep. In the opening stages he stormed forward before firing just wide, and even a bloody nose following a forearm in the face from Emiliano Papa did not slow him down.

Inspired by the Sao Paulo talent, Brazil had by far the best chances of the half. Agustin Orion in the Albiceleste net did well to block Neymar's shot after the ball rebounded in the striker's path on the edge of the area, while Ronaldinho will be frustrated that he blasted two well-placed free kicks over the bar. Cristian Cellay meanwhile had one of Argentina's best chances when his shot was blocked by defenders after a corner, but it was Neymar who could have easily opened the scoring for the hosts.

With five minutes left of the half, Lucas once more skipped past his markers to approach the area, and he delicately slipped the ball to Borges on the right. The powerful forward squared for his Santos team-mate, but Neymar somehow failed to make contact on the ball with the goal begging, ensuring Argentina would hold on to enter the break at 0-0.

Alejandro Sabella's team attacked with a little more purpose after half-time, and Augusto Fernandez came close to giving the visitors a surprise lead. The Velez man smashed the ball to force a save from Jefferson, but seconds later it would be Brazil in the ascendancy.

The Argentines were caught hopelessly out of place following a corner, and Lucas was released on a blistering counterattack. The youngster easily outstripped the chasing Desabato and Papa, and slotted with assurance past Orion to score the first goal of the two game series.

The strike lifted the Canarinha, and the creative trio of Neymar, Ronaldinho and Lucas streamed forward at will as they finally appeared to be enjoying the friendly clash. Only some determined last-ditch defending prevented the Argentines slipping further behind as the pressure built, although this came at the expense of any real offensive capability.

The visitors still came forward in sporadic bursts, one of the best chances occurring when substitute Mario Bolatti forced a simple save with a weak header. Brazil, though, looked supremely comfortable, and sealed victory with 15 minutes left when Neymar bundled in from close range to polish off a fluid passing move - much more fluid in fact than the dancing which followed the goal.

Boca striker Lucas Viatri forced a wonderful save from Jefferson, but it was not enough and Brazil never looked like letting go of the lead. The win hands Menezes' side victory in the first-ever Superclasico de las Americas series, and is more than welcome for a coach who had seen the pressure build after the Copa America.


Brazil

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Jefferson
Goalkeeper
-
-
Dedé
Defender
-
-
Danilo
Defender
84′
-
-
Réver
Defender
-
-
Bruno Cortês
Defender
85′
-
5
Ralf
Midfielder
-
-
Romulo
Midfielder
-
37
Lucas
Midfielder
54′ 69′
-
-
Ronaldinho
Striker
-
11
-
9
Borges
Striker
74′
-

Argentina

-
3
-
6
-
2
-
4
-
3
Emiliano Papa
Defender
-
8
Augusto Fernández
Midfielder
-
14
Héctor Canteros
Midfielder
60′
-
10
-
5
Guiñazu
Midfielder

Substitutes

7
Diego Souza
Midfielder
69′
-
-
Fred
Striker
74′
-
6
Kléber
Defender
85′
-

Substitutes

-
24
-
7
Pablo Mouche
Midfielder
78′

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Oleh Husyev Oleh Husyev
Midfielder
Ukraine
4 2
Michael Mifsud Michael Mifsud
Striker
Malta
4 0
Carlos Ruiz Gutierrez Carlos Ruiz Gutierrez
Striker
Guatemala
4 0
Mohir Shukurov Mohir Shukurov
Midfielder
Azerbaijan
3 2
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Netherlands
3 1