Brazil beaten white & blue

Argentina produced a stunning first-half performance as they scored three times before the break to beat arch-rivals Brazil 3-1 and qualify ...

Argentina produced a stunning first-half performance as they scored three times before the break to beat arch-rivals Brazil 3-1 and qualify for the 2006 World Cup on Wednesday.

Two goals by Hernan Crespo and one from Juan Roman Riquelme stunned the world champions, who fought back in the second half and replied with a trademark free kick from Roberto Carlos.

Argentina took the game to Brazil from the start with Crespo opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Luis Gonzalez found him around 25 metres from goal and the AC Milan striker thumped a low shot past Dida.

Brazil had barely recovered from that shock when Riquelme added a superb second in the 18th minute.

After starting a move with a clever flicked pass to Gonzalez, Riquelme picked up the ball with his back to goal, turned past Roque Junior and scored with a thumping left-foot drive from 25 metres.

Brazil failed to muster a shot on goal and it got even worse in the 40th minute.

Javier Saviola picked up a short corner, turned and crossed to the near post where Crespo leapt in front of Roque Junior to head the third and his seventh of the qualifiers. At that point, Brazil were facing their worst defeat since their 3-0 loss to France in the 1998 World Cup final.

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There were several scuffles as Brazil’s frustration got the better of them and card-shy referee Gustavo Mendez allowed a number of ugly tackles to go unpunished.

(Reuters)

WHAT NEXT FOR THE CHAMPIONS

For Brazil, all’s not lost. Need three point from three games. Expected to stay the only time to reach all World Cup finals

GOALMOUTH ACTION

	FINDING THE NET • Hernan Crespo opens the Argentine account in the 4th minute when Luis Gonzalez finds him around 25 metres from goal and Crespo thumps in a low shot past Dida. • Even as Brazil are in the process of recovering, comes another shock as Riquelme strikes in the 18th minute with a superb shot. Riquelme picks up the ball with his back to goal, turns past Roque Junior and sends a thumping left-foot drive from 25 metres. • In the 39th minute, Javier Saviola picks up a short corner, turns and crosses to the near post where Crespo leaps in front of Roque Junior to head the third — his seventh of the qualifiers. • But the goal of the match came in the 72nd minute from Roberto Carlos. The Real player rifled in a 25-metre freekick that brooks no challenge. THE VITAL MISSES • Ze Roberto and Roque Junior both miss from close range after inswinging crosses from Roberto Carlos catches out the Argentina defence. • Kaka and Adriano both had chances and the latter hits the post in the 84th minute with the goal at his mercy. 3. Argentina survives again when goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri turns Ronaldinho’s free-kick around the post in injury time.