Benzema and Pogba fire France over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal; Messi bested by Brazil in Beijing

In star-packed international friendlies on Saturday night, France topped Portugal 2-1 in Paris while Brazil defeated Argentina 2-0 in Beijing.

France's Paul Pogba celebrates with Karim Benzema after scoring a goal in their team's 2-1 win over Portugal in Paris on Saturday night. Franck Fife / AFP / October 11, 2014

Karim Benzema scored an early goal and set up Paul Pogba’s winner as France beat Portugal 2-1 in an international friendly at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The Real Madrid striker outshone his clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo as France ripped into Portugal from the off, taking the lead after three minutes.

Under intense early pressure Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio could only parry Bacary Sagna’s shot, leaving Benzema to twist and convert unmarked on the six yard line.

Benzema then generously set up rising French star Pogba, the swashbuckling Juventus midfielder, to fire home a precise side-footed effort from just inside the box on 69 minutes after great work from Patrice Evra.

“We won with style and were really strong from the start. It was a great team performance,” Benzema said after the game.

It took Ronaldo until late in the first half to flicker into life. He looked to have the France back line beaten in the 51st minute but Steve Mandanda’s outstretched fingers stopped a deft header from finding the bottom corner of the net.

“That did me good to stop Ronaldo’s header, I’ll remember that,” Mandanda said after the game.

Ronaldo then claimed handball as his 75th minute snap-shot hit Raphael Varane’s arm, but the referee rightly judged the arm to be held to the defender’s body. The 2013 Ballon D’Or was then substituted and had an ice-pack put on his knee.

Seconds later Portugal were back in with a chance at 2-1 when Pogba clipped Joao Mario in the box. Ricardo Quaresma duly converted from the spot, sending his penalty down the middle as Mandanda dived right.

“We stood firm and we had to because they had some good chances. We knew it’d be a tough game,” said captain Blaise Matuidi.

France have already qualified for Euro 2016 as hosts, but play against all the teams in Group I in friendlies as preparation.

Portugal lost their first Euro 2016 qualifier 1-0 at home to Albania in September as their new coach, ex-Greece handler Fernando Santos, seeks to rebuild the side.

In Beijing, Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty as Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 in a fiercely contested “Superclasico” in front of 50,000 fans in the Chinese capital.

At Beijing’s Olympic Stadium, journeyman Diego Tardelli was the unlikely hero with his first two goals for Brazil.

Atletico Mineiro striker Tardelli, 29, put Brazil ahead on 28 minutes, before Messi curled his soft penalty attempt close to goalkeeper Jefferson just before half-time.

Tardelli was on target again in the second half as Brazil restored pride after the World Cup, when the hosts were hammered in the semis while Argentina reached the final.

“Brazil are the best team in the world with a great tradition,” beamed coach Dunga, who is rebuilding following the 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany.

“We have no big players, we are now acting as one team. The whole team is evolving, including me.”

Barcelona icon Messi has now missed two successive penalties – two weeks after he also miscued one for his club against Levante.

“We always try to win but today we couldn’t. It was a match defined by our two mistakes,” said Messi.

“The error for the first goal and the penalty were crucial. If I had converted, it could have changed the game.”

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