Brazil 0 Argentina 1: Manchester City ace Gabriel Jesus stretchered off as Gabriel Mercado’s tap-in gets new boss Jorge Sampaoli off to a winning start
JORGE SAMPAOLI got off to the perfect start after taking over as Argentina boss – as Gabriel Mercado’s tap-in gave them a win in front of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mercado ghosted in as Brazil’s defence was caught napping to tap Argentina into their lead as new boss Jorge Sampaoli celebrated by smashing his fists into the air.
Gabriel Mercado’s tap-in gives Argentina the lead as Brazil’s defence is caught napping in MelbourneReuters
The Sevilla man was completely unmarked when he tapped in after Nicolas Otamendi’s header clattered the inside of the post.
Willian and Gabriel Jesus smashed an incredible pair of efforts against both Argentina posts just after the hour mark.
Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi celebrate Argentina scoring the openerReutersLionel Messi had a quiet game in MelbourneGetty Images
How the Manchester City man didn’t score deserves a Fifa inquiry, he could and should have netted from four yards out.
Lionel Messi had a quiet night in Australia, strangely subdued after a season that has largely petered out for the Barcelona man.
Angel Di Maria looked Argentina’s most dangerous player going forward and whacked Weverton’s post in the first six minutes from an acute angle.
Gabriel Jesus races through on goalGetty ImagesGabriel Jesus skips around Sergio Romero and only has to slot the ball into an empty net… but he can only hit the postGetty Images
And Gabriel Jesus, 20, was taken off on a stretcher in second-half injury time.
The forward got into an aerial tangle with City team-mate Otamendi, who appeared to catch Jesus in the eyesocket area.
After several minutes he was taken off with just seconds left in the match.
Jesus could miss Brazil’s friendly with Australia on Tuesday after the issue, but it looked more serious than the fairly innocuous challenge.
Gabriel Jesus is taken away from the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a stretcherEPAJorge Sampaoli watches on as he takes charge of Argentina for the first time in AustraliaAP:Associated PressLionel Messi warms up to an incredible laser display at the MCGRex Features
Argentina, meanwhile, face local rivals Uruguay in their next World Cup qualifier on August 31.
And they then play Venezuela at home on September 5, Peru a month later before their final qualifier at Ecuador on October 10.
Sampaoli will have to reel in Chile, who he bossed between 2012 and 2016, with Alexis Sanchez and co sitting just one point ahead of their rivals.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted Brazil’s clash with Argentina for the first timeGetty ImagesPhilippe Coutinho controls the ball for Brazil in their friendly against ArgentinaGetty ImagesOver 95,000 fans were confirmed in attendance at the MCGGetty Images
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