Friday, Sep. 21, 2012
GOIANIA, Brazil — Neymar converted a penalty in the final minute of injury time Wednesday to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Argentina in the first leg of the Superclassic of the Americas, a home-and-away series between the South American rivals with players from local clubs.
Neymar scored from the penalty spot after the referee called a hand ball by an Argentine defender inside the area, helping Brazil coach Mano Menezes escape jeers from the home fans.
As Brazil struggled near the end, the crowd booed Menezes and chanted the name of World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is on the market again after leaving Palmeiras last week. Fans who packed the Serra Dourada stadium chanted "Goodbye, Mano" and "Come back, Felipao."
Argentina striker Juan Martinez opened the scoring in the 20th minute and Brazil midfielder Paulinho, apparently offside, equalized with a header off a cross by Neymar in the 27th.