Messi ends seven-year goal drought against Brazil on Argentina return

Lionel Messi's winning goal against Brazil in an international friendly on Friday marked his first against Argentina's fiercest rivals in seven years.
The Barcelona superstar returned to Argentina's starting line up after serving a three-month suspension for criticising CONMEBOL during this summer's Copa America.
Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus squandered a golden chance to give Brazil the lead when he placed a penalty kick wide of the post in the early stages of the contest, and was made to pay for his miss moments later.
Messi won a penalty in the 12th minute of the game after jinking his way into the box and going down under a clumsy challenge from Juventus full-back Alex Sandro.
Alisson failed to hold Messi's tame spot-kick, allowing the diminutive magician to tap into an empty net from the rebound for his 69th goal in 137 appearances for La Albicelestes.
Argentina ultimately held on for a 1-0 victory in Saudi Arabia, banishing the memory of a painful semi-final defeat against Brazil at the Copa America.
Messi's latest goal for his country was his first against Brazil since 2012, when he netted a hat-trick in a 4-3 friendly victory in the United States.

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