CAVANI: NEYMAR IS MY FRENEMY

EDINSON CAVANI has spoken out about his clash with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar, saying: “there are no friendly matches in football”.

Uruguay took on Brazil in an international friendly at the Emirates on Friday night which finished 1-0 to the

Selecao thanks to a Neymar penalty.

Eight yellow cards were brandished – six for Uruguay – and Cavani was among those booked for a reckless challenge on his PSG team-mate.

Chasing Neymar down the wing, Cavani flew in on the Brazilian and sent him sprawling to the ground in a heap.

He attempted to help Neymar back to his feet, but the Brazilian batted away his hand, prompting Cavani to walk away and then glare back at the former Barcelona man.

Cavani said: “When two South American teams meet, it’s always a bit intense.

“I think it was a very good match, and in the end we protested a bit about the penalty.

“But these are things that happen.

“It’s always good to face big teams like Brazil and playing against great rivals like Neymar or the other players that make up this Brazil team.

“Playing against this team with a great history is really good and that’s why we do not like to lose.

“There are no friendly matches in football. Sometimes there may be intensity, but after the game, once the game is over, there is only peace and tranquillity outside the field.” NORTHERN IRELAND manager Michael O’Neill believes the Nations League has been a positive experience for his squad despite their relegation in the competition.

O’Neill’s side have lost all three of their Nations League matches so far, rendering today’s finale against Austria at

Windsor Park a dead rubber.

It has been a frustrating campaign, with Northern Ireland having 46 attempts at goal over their three matches but scoring just once.

But O’Neill (above) said he had enjoyed the competition and believes it has done his team good to play alongside Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B3.

“I think it’s a positive,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the games, genuinely. It’s equipped the team well.”

O’Neill said he and the team have kept their focus on performances rather than results, so could take confidence from recent matches despite the lack of goals.

“The belief has never come out of the team, they just feel they haven’t