Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty as Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 in a fiercely contested “Superclasico” friendly in Beijing yesterday.
Journeyman Diego Tardelli was the unlikely hero with his first two goals for Brazil as Messi fluffed his lines with a tame spot-kick at the Bird’s Nest stadium.
Atletico Mineiro striker Tardelli, 29, put Brazil ahead on 28 minutes, before Messi curled his soft penalty attempt close to goalkeeper Jefferson just before the break.
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,” said their 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.”
Dunga brought on former national hero Kaka for a late cameo and he indicated the Sao Paulo midfielder could be set for a more regular role after 18 months on the sidelines.
“We need Kaka’s speed and control, he is an important part of our team,” he said.
David Luiz, the Paris Saint-Germain defender, said that even though it was a friendly, beating their South American rivals still meant a great deal to the players.
“It could be played in Alaska, but the rivalry with Argentina is always the same,” he said. “Our responsibility is the same, we need to win, always. We produced a great game, with intelligence, and managed to win. This is not a friendly game.”
Their goalscoring hero Tardelli said he hoped his two goals would boost his hopes of making the team’s squad for the next World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.
“It’s a great joy to score my first international goal, and against Argentina, our great rivals,” he said.
“I took advantage of the few chances I had. I think I did it well. I have to remain at the national squad, I want to be in the next World Cup and this is the way. I started on the right foot.”
Fears over Beijing’s choking smog had dominated the build-up but in a relief to players and organisers, air quality and visibility lifted on a breezy day in the Chinese capital yesterday.
Argentina were on top early in the match and Sergio Aguero fired an inviting chance over the bar before Angel Di Maria threatened with a drive from distance.
But it was Tardelli who broke the deadlock when he pounced on a loose ball and volleyed past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero on 28 minutes.
Brazil superstar Neymar should have made it two shortly afterwards but after wriggling his way free on goal, he made a hash of his shot and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.
The game had come alive and Argentina got a golden chance to equalise when Danilo was judged to have fouled Di Maria in the box, prompting angry Brazilian players to surround Chinese referee Fan Qi in protest.
But Messi spurned the opportunity to equalise as the four-time world player of the year shot too close to Brazilian keeper Jefferson, who dived to his right to push the ball away.
It was Messi’s second penalty miss in two weeks after the Barcelona forward had miscued one for his club against Levante last month.
Filipe Luis and Di Maria had chances at either end as the second half started energetically, and Oscar went close with a free kick after Martin Demichelis chopped down Neymar.
But again Tardelli was in the right place at the right time as he nodded in Oscar’s cross at the back post to give Brazil breathing space on 64 minutes.
Tardelli was eventually replaced by Kaka, who drew a huge roar when he came on in the final minutes to end his prolonged spell in the international wilderness.
There was time for Neymar to twice go close before Brazil were able to celebrate their win in front of more than 50,000 fans at the 2008 Olympic stadium.
It was a frustrating night for the Argentines ultimately and midfielder Javier Mascherano said: “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.”
