Diego Tardelli scored both goals for Brazil in a 2-0 win over archrivals Argentina in a friendly encounter at Beijing’s Birds Nest Stadium to mark the 100th anniversary of the first meeting between both sides.

Argentina dominated the early stages of the match but it was the Selaçao that took the lead through Athletico Mineiro striker Tardelli who latched on to a poor clearance by the Argentina defence to score in the 26th minute.

Brazil captain Neymar had a chance to double the lead six minutes later when he found himself one-on-one with Sergio Romero, but the Barcelona forward could only push his effort wide of goal.

Argentina should have then made Brazil pay for that miss when the referee awarded a penalty minutes before half time for a foul by Danilo on Angel di Maria, only for Jefferson to save the penalty taken by Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Brazil got the first chance to score the second half through Oscar’s freekick on the hour mark which Romero kept out, while Messi tested Jefferson in the Brazil goal with an effort from just inside the Brazil area two minutes later.

A further two minutes later and Brazil got their second goal through Tardelli who headed in at the near post after a cornerkick from Oscar was flicked on towards him by David Luiz.

Messi saw a freekick saved by Jefferson with 10 minutes to go while Neymar had a chipped effort go just over moments later before shooting straight ag Romero in stoppage time as Brazil held on for the win.

In other friendly matches played today, Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca with two goals helped Colombia to a 3-0 win over El-Salvador, Chile beat Peru by the same scoreline while the United States and Ecuador played out a 1-1 draw.