Brazil toil for Saudi win
Brazil struggled to a 2-0 win over hosts Saudi Arabia in a stuttering performance on a muggy night in Riyadh in a friendly international on Friday.
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scored just before half-time and Alex Sandro powered in a header from a Neymar corner in the sixth-minute of injury time.
Brazil will next play arch-rivals Argentina on Tuesday. Argentina, who will be without the rested Lionel Messi, beat Iraq 4-0 on Thursday.
However, the Selecao will be the more concerned team ahead of the showdown in Jeddah as they failed to spark against the Saudis, who almost found themselves a goal up after six minutes.
Jesus, who missed Brazil's friendly victories over the United States and El Salvador last month, celebrated his return to the side with a goal just before half time.
Jesus saw a goal-bound header brilliantly saved by Saudi keeper Mohammed Al Owais before Neymar slipped him in to score in the 43rd minute.
Tottenham's Lucas Moura almost made it two after another fine pass by Neymar. Neymar came close himself a few minutes later with a shot from just outside the penalty area.
Brazil captain Neymar said that Jesus scoring once had made him happier than if he were to net five.
Neymar leapt to defence of Jesus as he praised the 21-year-old post-match, telling reporters: "I was very happy to have assisted Gabriel Jesus.
"I think there was an unfair criticism on him, for all the work he did for us, for everything he asked for. In my view, they did a very great injustice with him. I was much happier that he scored a goal than if I had five."
Jesus did not forget his poor run of games either. He said he was disappointed that he did not get what he hoped for at the World Cup, but he preferred to focus on the next steps for the national team.
"Of course I was very upset. I came from Russia and stayed at my mother's house. I stayed at home with my family. It was not the World Cup of my dreams; I hoped to have done more. Unfortunately we did not win. I hope things will work again from now on," he said.
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