City fans will be hoping striker Gabriel Jesus hasn’t sustained any lasting damage from a facial injury that forced him off late in the game, after a collision with his Club team-mate Nicolas Otamendi.
The Albiceleste won the game through Gabriel Mercado’s goal from close range after Otamendi’s header had struck the post just before half-time.
The game between the two South American rivals was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia, and was a keenly-contested affair that Brazil dominated large parts of.
Gabriel Jesus was a constant threat throughout the opening period, while Fernandinho was excellent in a holding midfield role.
Mercado struck on the stroke of half-time when Otamendi’s headed Angel Di Maria’s cross onto the inside of the post and the ball fell kindly for the Sevilla right-back.
Brazil dominated after the break with Gabriel Jesus coming close to scoring twice in the space of two minutes, first when he saw a low shot beaten away by United keeper Sergio Romero on the hour, and then when he struck the post after rounding Romero – Willian then also struck the rebound against the post.
Willian’s excellent cross then looked certain to find Gabriel Jesus’s head but the ball was cleared a split second before he made contact as Argentina clung on.
Then, in the last moments of normal time, Jesus went for a high ball and Otamendi fell over his City team-mate, catching him with his arm as he cleared the danger and the Blues’ striker sustained a facial injury as a result.
After several minutes of treatment Jesus was then stretchered off with Argentina seeing the game out to secure a 1-0 victory.
