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2002 World Cup - Argentina 2 Brazil 1

Brazil blew the lead in a bitter Buenos Aires clash to put further doubts on their chances of winning an automatic place at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Good form for Uruguay and Colombia in their remaining games will make it hard for the Brazilians as they are now level on points with Uruguay in South America's qualifying table. Brazil are in fourth place with Uruguay behind on goal difference.

But Brazil's final two matches should prove considerably easier than this harsh physical battle between the two traditional enemies of South American football which threatened at times to turn very ugly and violent.

Nobody expected any different although Argentina have already made certain of their place at the 2002 finals.  They were motivated by the desire to heap more problems on Brazil and it proved a powerful motivation indeed as they came from a goal down to win in front of their ecstatic fans.

The late winner came from an 85th minute own goal from Brazilian defender Cris after Claudio Lopez reached a cross for Cris to stab at the ball and send it into his own net.

Argentina had equalised in the 77th minute with a header from substitute Marcelo Gallardo after the home side had taken control of the game and Hernan Crespo had hit the   post with a shot on the turn.

In the end Brazil could not hold out but Argentina deserved the win for edging the physical conflicts that carried on throughout the match and for coming back powerfully after Rivaldo was involved in the second minute incident which gave the visitors a surprise lead.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari started with five defenders and four in midfield but took the lead when Argentina captain Roberto Ayala jumped with Rivaldo to meet a long throw-in and his glancing header took the ball over the goal-line.

Referee Urs Meier then had to cope as the home team responded with heavy tackling to get back into the game with Rivaldo singled out for particular abuse at times.

Diego Someone was booked for a hack on Roberto Carlos with Nelson Vivas following him into the book for a chop at Marcelinho. Argentina goalkeeper German   Burgos escaped punishment for handling the ball outside the penalty area by punching away a cross.

Brazil almost extended their lead with a Roberto Carlos free kick that forced Burgos into a readjustment of his feet to slap away the dipping 20 metre drive.

Source World Soccer News