Argentina started with the same lineup that had started the 2-0 defeat of Venezuela in Rio on Friday.

Both sides looked reticent to take risks early and had few clear scoring chances until Brazil caught Argentina flat-footed in the 18th minute.

Veteran right-back Dani Alves started the move by dribbling past two defenders and releasing Firmino on the right. The Liverpool forward played a one-touch cross into the path of Jesus, who rifled a first-time finish past Franco Armani.

Argentina also looked threatening on the odd occasion they forayed into the final third. Lionel Messi floated a sumptuous free-kick into the box and Sergio Aguero was the quickest to react, but his header rebounded off the bar.

Messi wound back the clock with a dashing 50-meter run before laying off a deft pass to Aguero. However, the Manchester City player opted to shoot instead of passing sideways to an unmarked Lautaro Martinez and his effort was well blocked by Thiago Silva.

The Albiceleste picked up where they left off after halftime. Aguero just failed to make contact with a header after Nicolas Tagliafico's cross from the left and Lautaro Martinez sent a feeble first-time effort straight at Alisson Becker in the Brazil goal.

Philippe Coutinho then fired over the bar from 10 yards when he had only the keeper to beat after being set up by Jesus.

The game suddenly opened up as both sides attacked frenetically into spaces that previously didn't exit. Messi saw a shot cannon off the post after Martinez's long-range effort was blocked, and the Barcelona forward followed up by sending the rebound across the face of the goal, narrowly missing the onrushing Aguero.

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