Neymar snatch a last-minute victory for Brazil

Two South American arch-rivals Brazil and Argentina met in a friendly encounter in Goiania on 19 September 2012. The clash ended in a 2-1 victory of Brazilian men.

Brazil couldn’t boast of a flying start of the first leg against Argentina as they felt uptight and heart-pounding because of fans’ jeering. The point is that indignant fans cast aspersions on the Brazilian coach Mano Menezes and the national team as they showed a dim and low-spirited home play ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The outraged fans even called in former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to take charge of the team.

Boomed by the crowd, Brazilian squad didn’t feel at ease at the beginning of the match and conceded a goal by Juan Manuel Martinez in the 20th minute.

Nevertheless, Brazilian players bestirred themselves and Paulinho powered in an equalizer five minutes after the opener. In the dying minutes of the match Neymar converted a penalty for a hand ball by Argentina defender Leandro Desabato securing a 2-1 win to his team.

Brazil will meet Argentina in the second leg on October 3 in the city of Resistencia, Argentina.