Neymar, Firmino fire Brazil to win
EASTRUTHERFORD,US: Roberto Firmino and Neymar scored the goals as Brazil cruised to a 2-0 friendly victory over an inexperienced United States here on Friday. Brazil, playing their first international since a disappointing World Cup quarter-final exit, were in complete control throughout a low-key encounter at the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The South American giants had won their previous 10 games against the United States, whose lone victory came way back in 1998. There was never much doubt that Brazil would extend their winning record to 11 consecutive wins as they dominated throughout against an American team who are rebuilding after their shock failure to qualify for the World Cup.
The opening goal came after 11 minutes, when Juventus winger Douglas Costa found himself in space on the right flank. Antonee Robinson rushed in to close down Costa, but was left for dead as the Brazilian skipped past him all too easily before picking out Firmino with a pinpoint low cross.
The South Americans doubled their lead three minutes from half-time when US captain Wil Trapp clipped Fabinho in the penalty area. Neymar stepped up to stroke in his 58th international goal in his 91st game.
URUGUAY, ARGENTINA RACK UP BIG WINS
LOSANGELES: A Luis Suarez brace, the second a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty, helped Uruguay ease to 4-1 win over Mexico, while Argentina rebounded from a poor World Cup to thump Guatemala 3-0 in a pair of big friendly wins in the United States on Friday. Argentina take on Colombia in New Jersey next Tuesday, the same day Mexico play the United States in Nashville.
Guatemala play Ecuador in Bridgeview, Illinois, while Brazil, who beat the U.S. 2-0 earlier on Friday, go to Maryland to play El Salvador.
BOLT TAKES BREAK FROM MARINERS
SYDNEY: Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will put his efforts to carve out a football career on hold for a week to fulfil a “previously planned” overseas commitment, the A-league’s Central Coast Mariners said on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Jamaican has been trialling with the Mariners for the last three weeks in the hope of securing a professional contract for the 2018-19 A-league campaign. The break, from September 9-16, had been agreed before he joined for training.