Messi beats Brazil, Spain lose again

LONDON (AP):

Lionel Messi secured a 1-0 friendly win for Argentina over traditional rival Brazil yesterday, while World Cup holder Spain slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Portugal.

While Messi justified his status as the best player in the world with an injury-time solo goal that clinched Argentina's first win over their neighbours in six meetings, Spain conceded four goals for the second time since winning the World Cup.

Carlos Martins, an own goal by Sergio Ramos, Helder Postiga and Hugo Almeida gave the home side victory in Lisbon.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar gave World Cup runners-up, the Netherlands, a 1-0 win over Turkey, and France outclassed England 2-1 with a goal in each half at Wembley.

Italy's experimental line-up needed an 82nd-minute own goal by Ciprian Marica to salvage a 1-1 draw against Romania in a match marred by racist taunts directed at Azzurri forward Mario Balotelli.

US beat south africa

A youthful Germany team failed to unlock hosts Sweden as defences dominated in a 0-0 draw, while the United States beat South Africa 1-0.

Argentina and Brazil looked to be heading for a scoreless draw in Doha, Qatar, after 90 minutes of a match more notable for the occasional rough challenge and bad-tempered reaction than the skills of Ronaldinho and Messi.

But the diminutive Argentine collected possession midway inside Brazil's half, beat four opponents and scored with a low shot into the right corner.

"Messi means everything to us," said Argentina coach Sergio Batista. "He showed why he's the best player in the world."

Spain eliminated Portugal in the second round of the World Cup in South Africa but were comprehensively beaten in Lisbon.

Martins opened the scoring in the 45th minute from a rebound after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had saved Cristiano Ronaldo's shot and Ramos poked Postiga's goal-bound shot into his own net three minutes after the break.

Joao Moutinho found Postiga for the third in the 68th before Hugo Almeida capped the Iberian derby victory in the third minute of injury time.

Poor spain showing

Spain's only wins in six matches since hosting the World Cup have been in European Championship qualifying against the weak trio of Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Scotland.

They have conceded 12 goals in their past four games.

France put their humiliation at this year's World Cup further behind them with a fourth straight win and a fluent display, easing into a 2-0 lead at Wembley before injury-hit England got a late goal back.

Karim Benzema beat goalkeeper Ben Foster at the near post in the 16th and Mathieu Valbuena volleyed in from a cross by Bacary Sagna 10 minutes after half-time.

Peter Crouch came on as a substitute for the injured Steven Gerrard and volleyed in with his first touch direct from an 86th-minute corner.

"We didn't really pass the ball and we didn't really get going until the last 15 minutes," England captain Rio Ferdinand said. "We didn't play to our strengths today. We didn't con-trol the ball and we didn't retain possession."