Tardelli double sinks Argentina

11 October 2014 15:16

Diego Tardelli scored both goals as Brazil beat fellow South American giants Argentina 2-0 in the Superclasico de las Americas.

The Atletico Mineiro striker grabbed the first in Beijing after a defensive blunder in the Argentinian defence, and headed the second just after the hour mark.

For Argentina, Lionel Messi missed a penalty when Brazil's lead was just one goal, seeing his spot-kick saved by Jefferson.

New Manchester United recruit Angel Di Maria shone in the early stages for Argentina, spearheading a string of attacks, but Jefferson was repelling everything flung at him.

It was shocking defending that cost Brazil in the World Cup, when as hosts they crumpled to a shocking 7-1 defeat against Germany in the semi-finals, but this time the defensive calamity was from those in blue and white.

It came in the 28th minute when Oscar crossed a rather innocuous ball from the right, that Federico Fernandez and Pablo Zabaleta both went after.

But the Swansea centre-back and Manchester City right-back got in each other's way, with an unconvincing header from Fernandez landing only at the feet of Tardelli, to the left of goal, who drilled a low right-footed volley across goal and into the far corner.

Argentina appeared fortunate to be handed a penalty in the 40th minute when Di Maria went down under a challenge from Danilo. The defender looked to take the ball, with Di Maria stumbling to the ground, and there was a sense of justice when Messi's soft penalty to the left corner was pushed out by Jefferson.

Oscar played a part in both goals, the Chelsea man delivering the corner for the second.

His inswinging centre from the left was met first by former club-mate David Luiz, who glanced it across goal, and Tardelli found a foot of space from where he nodded in, goalkeeper Sergio Romero only able to help the ball into the top right corner.

Neymar had been troubling the Argentina defence all game and had a chance to plunder a third goal but could not get his lob quite right.

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano summed up the frustration in the World Cup finalists' ranks, saying: "We made a good start in the first half, having several chances, and then, after a mistake, they found the opener. Sadly, in the second half, we could not cause any damage."

Team-mate Zabaleta added: "We are in a changing process, with a new manager. It will take a while until we know each other better. I hate losing and more so against Brazil, but it is part of the learning."

Source: PA