Football News : Brazil down Argentina

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Brazil lifted the trophy of the Superclasico de las Americas with a 2-0 win
over Argentina.

GettyImagesRonaldinho led a youthful Brazil to victory

• Kelly: Domestic squabbles

Second half goals from Lucas and Neymar helped the Selecao claim a deserved win
in Belem, following a goalless draw in the first leg of the tie in
Cordoba, Argentina.

Both sides played with local-based players as it was not a date FIFA set aside
for international duty. Brazil had the best opportunities to score and Argentina were forced to play
defensively at the Estadio Mangueirao.

In the 13th minute, Neymar shot from outside the box and Argentina keeper
Agustin Orion saved with his left hand, while Neymar failed to finish.

Eight minutes after the interval, from an Argentina corner kick, the impressive Lucas broke
away for Brazil and opened the scoring with a right-foot shot after a swift counter-attack which started in the home side's own penalty area.

Brazil kept pressing and managed to double the lead in the 75th minute when
Bruno Cortes initially passed to Diego Souza. He, in turn, crossed from the left and, despite the attempts of Orion and defender Emiliano Papa to clear, Neymar was able to finish.

Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson, meanwhile, saved a powerful right-foot shot from defender Ivan
Pillud in Argentina's only real chance of the game.

For Argentina, it was their first defeat under recently-appointed boss Alejandro
Sabella, who claimed friendly wins over Venezuela and Nigeria before the 0-0
draw with Brazil in the first leg of this tie.

Neymar told Globoesporte.com that he was delighted by the fans' support: "They
were wonderful. They cheered since the national anthem.

"I think even the Argentinians were shocked. We tried to pay back all the love
they brought to us."

Argentina defender Leandro Desabato told Telefe TV: "Brazil played very well.
In the second half we made the game even.

"With a counter-attack, they won the game. We are happy with the second half.
Playing this way is not easy, as in Argentina we've been playing games in three
or four days."

Sabella added: "In the second half, we had more opportunities than Brazil. In
the first half, they played much better. In the 180 minutes, Brazil won
deservedly."