Neymar punishes Uruguay
Neymar kept his cool to score a controversial penalty that fired Brazil to a 1-0 win over Uruguay in a full-blooded friendly on Friday.
The Brazil captain was subjected to some ferocious fouls from Uruguay as the clash between the South American rivals boiled over at the Emirates Stadium. But the PSG striker had the last laugh, netting from the spot late in the second half after Diego Laxalt was harshly ruled to have fouled Danilo.
Brazil are now unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with Uruguay, who haven't defeated the five-time world champions since 2001.
"It was a typical South American derby. We have respect for Uruguay. They have dangerous players," Brazil boss Tite said. "We managed to control them. This is our third game now without conceding a goal."
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez added: "Neymar was playing with freedom. We weren't controlling him well.
"But I thought our young team matched Brazil. It's a shame it comes down to a controversial situation."
Even on a dank, misty north London evening, Brazil's global popularity ensured a large crowd braved the elements to see their star-studded line-up.
Neymar was the headline act as the Maracana came to the Holloway Road. His every touch brought cheers of approval from the crowd.
There was little love lost between the sides and referee Craig Pawson dished out five bookings in the first half alone.
Neymar was growing increasingly irritated by the Uruguayan tackling, shaking his head in frustration after being clipped by Mathias Suarez. Neymar finally got his revenge for the rough treatment in the 76th minute.
When Laxalt dived in on Danilo, the Brazilian launched into a theatrical fall that led Pawson to give a dubious penalty.
Neymar grabbed the ball and stepped up to send Campana the wrong way from the spot.
In another friendly later in the day, a first-half header from defender Ramiro Funes Mori and a second half own goal from substitute Isaac Brizuela gave Argentina a 2-0 win over Mexico in a friendly in Cordoba on Friday.
The Villareal centre half opened the scoring a minute before half time when he got his head to a Paulo Dybala free kick before Brizuela put through his own net eight minutes from time.
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