On Friday, Brazil and Argentina locked horns in a highly-anticipated clash in Melbourne. Although this was a mere friendly, bragging right is always at stake whenever these two South American giants lock horns.
It was also the first game for newly-appointed manager Jorge Sampaoli, and he made an excellent start with La Albiceleste. The former Sevilla boss guided the two-time World Cup winners to victory, triumphing 1-0 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
FT: Brazil 0-1 Argentina
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) June 9, 2017
Jorge Sampaoli wins his first game in charge of #BRAARG pic.twitter.com/FlssFyVMlj
The winner came not from any of the two nations’ star players, but from defender Gabriel Mercado. The Sevilla man found the back of the net shortly before the break, slotting in from an Otamendi header which bounced off the post.
That awkward moment when you play Messi, Dybala, DiMaria and Higuain yet the only goal is scored by Mercado and assisted by Otamendi.
— Jaffer (@Jaffer_Zanetti) June 9, 2017
Although Sampaoli fielded the likes of Messi, Di Maria, Higuain, and Dybala; Tite was without several stars. The likes of Neymar, Casemiro, Marcelo, and Dani Alves all missed this friendly, but the Selecao still dominated play for much of the first half with an attacking three of Coutinho, Willian, and Gabriel Jesus.
Sampaoli’s first game in charge of Messi and Co. put an end to Tite’s unbeaten run at the helm of the five-time World Cup champions. The Brazil manager has been in charge for 10 games, winning all of his previous nine ties.
Full time: Brazil 0-1 Argentina.
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) June 9, 2017
Jorge Sampaoli starts his Argentina career with a great win.. pic.twitter.com/SlB8jYHa5N
This win could be a sign of good things to come. Despite making three major finals in the last three years, Argentina lost all three and have always appeared to be in turmoil. Sampaoli will need to turn things around and book their spot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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