Brazil win through Diego Tardelli brace as Lionel Messi misses penalty

Diego Tardelli scored both goals as Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 in a Beijing friendly billed as the Superclassico.

The Atletico Mineiro striker grabbed his first after a defensive blunder and headed his second just after the hour mark.

For Argentina, Lionel Messi failed from the penalty spot when Brazil were 1-0 in front, seeing his spot-kick saved by Jefferson.

It was a match that saw both teams under new management following the World Cup, with Dunga in charge of Brazil and Gerardo Martino leading Argentina.

New Manchester United recruit Angel Di Maria shone for Argentina in the early stages, spearheading a string of attacks, but Jefferson was repelling everything flung at him.

Shocking defending cost Brazil in the World Cup when, as hosts, they crumbled to a shocking 7-1 defeat against Germany in the semi-finals, but this time the defensive calamity came from those in blue and white.

It came in the 28th minute when Oscar crossed a rather innocuous ball from the right. Federico Fernandez and Pablo Zabaleta both went after it, but the Swansea centre-back and Manchester City right-back got in each other's way. A Fernandez header landed at the feet of the unmarked Tardelli, to the left of goal, who drilled a low right-footed volley into the far corner.

Argentina appeared fortunate to be handed a penalty in the 40th minute when Di Maria went down in the 18-yard box under a challenge from Danilo. The defender looked to have taken the ball, with Di Maria stumbling to the ground, and there was a sense of justice when Messi's soft penalty to the left corner was pushed out by the Brazil goalkeeper.

Oscar played a part in both Brazil goals, with the Chelsea man delivering the corner for the second. His inswinging centre from the left was met by David Luiz, who glanced it across goal, and Tardelli found space to nod in, goalkeeper Sergio Romero only able to help the ball into the top right corner.

Neymar had been troubling the Argentina defence all game and had a chance to plunder a third goal but could not get his lob quite right.

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano summed up the frustration in the World Cup finalists' ranks, saying: "We made a good start in the first half, having several chances, and then, after a mistake, they found the opener. Sadly, in the second half, we could not cause any damage."

Team-mate Zabaleta added: "We are in a changing process, with a new manager. It will take a while until we know each other better. I hate losing, and more so against Brazil, but it is part of the learning."