The big news: Neymar gets the better of Lionel Messi

Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Friday as Philippe Coutinho, Neymar and Paulinho ensured an easy win. The match saw Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi pitted against each other as both the captains began their quest for World Cup glory.

Countinho was the first to score in the 25th minute to put Brazil ahead. Neymar doubled the lead just before halftime with a superb strike. As the second half began, Argentina’s striker Sergio Aguero was brought on, but that did not make a difference as Paulinho scored in the 60th minute to complete the 3-0 rout.

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  1. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged Chile not to put striker Alexis Sanchez at risk during their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Sanchez missed Chile’s 0-0 draw against Colombia on Thursday after picking up a muscle injury. Chile’s medical staff hoped he would recover in time for Tuesday’s game against Uruguay.
  2. Spain’s Diego Costa will miss his side’s clash against Macedonia and England due to a bruised thigh. The Chelsea striker has been given the green light to return to London for treatment. The 28-year-old sustained the injury in the 5-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
  3. Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo suffered a knee injury in Chile’s goalless draw against Colombia. Bravo walked off the pitch in the second half after keeping Colombian strikers at bay. Bravo had a clash with Santiago Arias of Colombia after which the injury struck.
  4. FC Goa will face NorthEast United at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday in the Indian Super League. Goa will look to put their horrible campaign on track as they look to remain in contention for the semi-final. NorthEast too will look to grab a win after a series of defeats.
  5. Mumbai City FC failed to register their fourth win on the trot as they lost to FC Pune City 1-0 in the Maharashtrian Derby at Andheri Sports Complex on Thursday. A goalkeeping error by Albino Gomes allowed striker Eugeneson Lyngdoh smash the ball two minutes from full-time.
  6. As many as 34 spot kicks were taken at Stamford Bridge, the longest in English football history, as Chelsea’s Under-23 side finally beat Oxford United. Chelsea won the shootout 13-12 after United’s Wes Thomas missed in the 17th round of kicks. The EFL game had finished 1-1.