Gabriel Mercado Winner Sees Argentina Beat Brazil in Jorge Sampaoli's 1st Match

Jorge Sampaoli's first match as Argentina manager ended in a 1-0 friendly victory against South American rivals Brazil at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia, on Friday.

A Gabriel Mercado tap-in late in the opening half gave Argentina a deserved lead after a decent 45 minutes from the Albiceleste in front of more than 95,000 supporters.

Brazil were more dominant in the second half and carved out a number of opportunities to equalise, but Tite's side could not find the net. 

South American football writer Paulo Freitas provided both lineups ahead of kick-off:

Argentina started sharply, with a slick move involving Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria resulting in the Paris Saint-Germain star hitting the post in the sixth minute.

Brazil built into the game, though, and Philippe Coutinho arguably should have done better midway through the first half when Argentina's advanced defence were caught out, but the Liverpool star took too many touches. 

Di Maria then worked Brazil goalkeeper Weverton with a half-volley before Dybala curled an effort just wide two minutes from the break.

It looked as though the half would end goalless, but Argentina pounced late on as Brazil's defence went to sleep.

Nicolas Otamendi was allowed to rise for a free header, which rattled against the post, and Mercado reacted quickest to tap in from close range.

Brazil should have been level 15 minutes into the second half, but the post denied them twice in quick succession.

Gabriel Jesus should have done better with the goal at his mercy after he rounded the 'keeper, and Willian was also guilty of not hitting the target as he followed up and struck the other upright, per football writer Peter Coates:

Brazil were in the ascendancy, though, and Coutinho whipped a free-kick just over the bar minutes later.

However, Argentina were effective in smothering Brazil's attack as the match drew to its conclusion, and they held off the Selecao's advances to claim a fine victory.