Brazil see off Mexico; Belgium humble France
Brazil see off Mexico; Belgium humble France
Published: 01:22 am Jun 09, 2015

SAO PAULO: Brazil took their winning run under coach Dunga to nine on Sunday when first-half goals gave them a comfortable 2-0 win over Mexico in Sao Paulo. A week before they kick off their Copa America campaign against Peru, Brazil dominated a poor warm up match though there was a moment of brilliant by Philippe Coutino when they opened the scoring after 27 minutes. The Liverpool midfielder dropped a shoulder and wafted past a Mexican defender before slotting the ball home from a tight angle to notch his first international goal. Diego Tardelli doubled their lead nine minutes later after good work by Elias. The Corinthians midfielder nutmegged a Mexican defender and his pass left Tardelli with the simplest of finishes from six yards. “It was good to come home and play at home again,” said David Luiz. “We’re happy with the win and way we won.” The game was played at a slow pace, especially in a second half that had 12 substitutions and hardly a shot at goal. Mexico were without Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez, both of whom were rested for next month’s Gold Cup in the US. Brazil, meanwhile, were missing Neymar, who was celebrating Barcelona’s Champions League triumph over Juventus. The win means Brazil have won all nine of their games since Dunga took over in the wake of their 2014 World Cup 7-1 humiliation by Germany, a run that includes victories over Colombia, Chile, Argentina and France. Brazil now play one more friendly against Honduras on Wednesday before heading to Chile. They kick off their Copa America campaign against Peru on June 14 before further Group C games against Venezuela and Colombia. Mexico’s first Copa match is against Bolivia on June 12. They also face Ecuador and hosts Chile. Elsewhere, Marouane Fellaini played chief tormentor as France suffered a 4-3 home defeat in a home friendly against Belgium, one year before the European Championship kicks off on their turf. Manchester United midfielder Fellaini scored two first-half goals before Radja Nainggolan and Eden Hazard, from the penalty- spot, added to the tally after the break. Les Bleus replied through Mathieu Valbuena’s second-half penalty and late goals by Nabil Fekir and Dimitri Payet. It was France’s second loss since the 2014 World Cup, coming just over two months after a 3-1 home defeat by Brazil. “They were very efficient, we under-performed defensively, we were better after the break,” France coach Didier Deschamps told reporters. “We can’t be hyper confident ahead of the Euro 2016, but we can’t be too worried.” Deschamps’s side got off to a good start but failed to really threaten while Belgium scored with their first chance. Fellaini picked up the ball in the area after a poor clearance by the French defence and fired home from close range to put the visitors ahead after 17 minutes. The towering Fellaini netted his fifth goal in three games for the national side, heading the ball past Hugo Lloris from Toby Alderweireld’s cross after being left unmarked three minutes from the break. Nainggolan made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half with a 25-metre strike, with Fellaini responsible for the set-up play. France, who will play only friendlies until Euro 2016 kicks off on June 10 next year because they qualified as hosts, pulled one back three minutes later when Valbuena converted a penalty after Olivier Giroud was brought down in the box. Koscielny, however, made the same mistake when he pushed Axel Witsel in the back, allowing Hazard to make it 4-1 with a perfectly-taken spot-kick. One minute from time, second-half substitute Fekir fired past Thibaut Courtois after playing a fine one-two with Paul-Georges Ntep. Payet further reduced the arrears after collecting a backpass from Moussa Sissoko one minute into stoppage time.