The highest profile derby of the weekend saw ten-man Brazil come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Argentina on Friday in a tense 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying battle between the two South American superpowers.
A second half strike from Santos player Lucas Lima salvaged a vital point for Brazil after Argentina had taken the lead midway through the half thanks to an Ezequiel Lavezzi strike. Lavezzi's Paris Saint-Germain team-mate David Luiz was sent off for a second yellow card in the dying minutes but Brazil hung on for the draw. The result leaves Argentina winless after three games of South America's marathon qualifying campaign, with only two points from a possible nine. Friday's match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires had been delayed by 24 hours after a deluge made the pitch unplayable on Thursday.
Argentina, missing a glut of injured stars including Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, started the stronger against a Brazil side who welcomed back suspended striker Neymar. Neymar however was largely anonymous for long periods as Argentina got on top early on and opened up Brazil with ease on several occasions. The only surprise was that it took Argentina more than half an hour to get on the scoresheet. The goal came after superb interplay between Argentina's powerful attacking front three. Angel Di Maria darted inside on a jinking run near halfway before releasing Gonzalo Higuain down the right flank.
The Napoli striker looked up and picked out Lavezzi with a superb low cross for the France-based star to ram past Alisson Becker for 1-0 on 34 minutes. It was no less than Argentina's bold attacking approach deserved. Argentina might have taken an early lead after only two minutes, when Facundo Roncaglia drew a save from Allison from a wide angle with looping shot. Moments later Di Maria beat Luiz down the right flank, turning the midfielder inside out before firing in a low cross which flew across the face of goal. Brazil escaped however, with no Argentinian attacker on hand to meet Di Maria's centre.Luiz might have levelled for Brazil shortly before half-time but could only head over the bar from close range after Willian's freekick from the right. Argentina started the second half in the same vein, with Ever Banega only being denied a goal from a tight angle when his fierce low shot struck the foot of the post in the 46th minute.
But it was Brazil who struck next, getting on level terms through a cleverly worked goal on 58 minutes. Dani Alves curled a sublime cross to the far post with the outside of right boot to pick out Douglas Costa, who headed firmly against the bar before Lima smashed in the rebound on the volley.
Buoyed by the goal Brazil looked the likelier to grab a winner, with Willian going close with a shot deflected over the bar. Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi went close with a late header which flew just wide. In the closing minutes Luiz was shown a red card for two bookings within as many minutes, but Brazil held on for the draw.
On the African scene, Swaziland forced Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in the second round, first leg 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier played at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba on Friday night. The hosts came into the game having caged Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate in the first round and as expected, the southern Africans gave the Super Eagles a run for their money in the keenly contested encounter. An injury to Moses Simon in the opening minutes of the encounter gave an indication of what to expect after the Gent forward had his head bandaged after clashing his head with Felix Badenhorst in an attempt to win an aerial battle.
The King’s Shield had their first real chance to get the curtain raiser but Sabelo Ndzinisa’s long range effort could not threaten goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who made some crucial saves to rescue Sunday Oliseh’s men from defeat. Nigeria’s first clear chance came in the 27th minute when Ogenyi Onazi’s freekick was expertly saved by goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu who held firm to deny Sylvester Igbonu and Odion Ighalo from wreaking havoc with brilliant saves.Faced with a knobby artificial turf, the Super Eagles tried to control the game with Ahmed Musa and Simon’s pace upfront, fashioning another chance after just four minutes which Ighalo failed to convert. Not too long, Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi combined after a fine surging run from Sylvester Igbonu but Musa's shot was blocked by Siyanbonga Mdluli.
The hosts also had a sight on goal in the 31st minute when Badenhorst ‘s loose kick presented Ndlovu with the chance to run at Nigeria’s back four. The ball eventually fell to Godfrey Oboabona who cleared to safety. As the half progressed, Oliseh’s men were happy to sit back and allow Swaziland dominate possession in midfield, the visitors lacked quality in the final third.
In the second half, the Eagles made an early change with Rabiu Ibrahim replacing Igbonu. Unfornately, Ibrahim was hurled off 20 minutes after his introduction and was replaced by Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho whose efforts could not break down the stanch hosts. The introduction of Obafemi Martins brought life to the Eagles’ attack as the Sounder’s man gave Mkhweli and Ndzinisa torrid times. His major impact in the game came in the 83rd minute when he breezed into Swaziland’s backline, gave Ighalo a low pass but the Watford forward rather than pull the trigger lost possession to the hosts. Swaziland , too, were reduced to shots from range, with Pamla firing just wide of the upright. In the capacity filled stadium, coach Harry Bulunga’s shouts from the touchline could clearly be heard, with the head-coach urging his players to 'keep their shape' and 'get wide'.
Nigeria host the King’s shield in the second leg on Tuesday at the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium. Port Harcourt with the winner on aggregate moving to the group stage of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
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