Brazil resist dominant Argentina and rescue draw in World Cup qualifier

A first half goal from Ezequiel Lavezzi was cancelled out by Lucas Lima in the 58th minute as Brazil escaped with a 1-1 draw against Argentina in the teams’ World Cup qualifier.

The match had originally been scheduled for Thursday but torrential rain in Buenos Aires had forced officials to postpone the game for 24 hours.

Argentina dominated the first half but although Brazil perked up when Douglas Costa replaced Ricardo Oliveira they would consider themselves lucky to secure a point. “A draw against Argentina is a good result away from home,” Brazil’s second half substitute Renato Augusto told reporters.

The home side were without Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Carlos Tevez, but still had the depth to start the game with Angel Di María, Gonzalo Higuain and Lavezzi up front.

Their first chance came in the second minute but Higuain could not turn quickly enough to get a shot in after goalkeeper Alisson flapped at a cross. Two minutes later Brazil were fortunate that no one was on hand to get a touch on Di María’s shot that flashed across the face of the goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo: I want to retire with 'dignity', not in USA, Qatar or Dubai

Cristiano Ronaldo said Friday that he wants to end his career “with dignity” and not playing in “the United States, Qatar or Dubai”. The Real Madrid and Portugal star, the subject of a new documentary that premiered on Monday in London, said Thursday in an interview on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show that he expected to play six or seven more seasons and hoped to finish his career at the highest level. The remarks ostensibly referenced the recent wave of top players who have finished their careers outside of Europe’s top leagues, among them MLS imports Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, along with Xavi, the lifelong Barcelona midfielder who signed with Qatari club Al Sadd in May. “That does not mean it’s bad play in the leagues of the United States, Qatar or Dubai, but I do not see myself there,” Ronaldo said. Ronaldo, who turns 31 in February, became Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer last month and has th...

Falkirk chairman calls for restructure of ‘outdated’ Scottish league

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Young people to lose access to unemployment benefits as part of welfare reforms

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