Argentina edges Socceroos

Argentina has overcome a determined effort from the hosts to win its friendly against the Socceroos 1-0 in front of a crowd of over 70,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The world's No.2-ranked team lived up to its reputation, producing an excellent display of football, which probably deserved more than the one goal as its reward. Argentine superstars Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi played a major role, entertaining the crowd of 70,171 and tormenting the Australian defenders. Defender Martin Demichelis scored the decisive goal in the 49th minute, thanks to Tevez winning the free kick and Messi delivering a pin-point cross.

The Socceroos were also excellent, with the woodwork denying Mark Bresciano in the first half. David Carney was a menace at both ends of the ground, while Josh Kennedy showed enough to affirm his reputation as the key attacking weapon of the future.

Archie Thompson created the first opening for the locals, deceiving his opponent before being brought down by Gabriel Milito just outside the box. From the resultant free kick, the ball rebounded its way to an unattended Bresciano. His shot forced a desperate clearance from Demichelis, which fortunately found the Argentine keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri rather than the back of the net.

Kennedy was proving a handful for the Argentine defence, and in the 11th minute, the tall striker headed over the bar from a corner.

Messi was causing headaches as well, dashing clear on goal, only for Carney to intervene with a tackle. From the corner, Milito managed to shoot over, when it seemed easier to tap into the net. Messi again found space on 16 minutes, but his 25-yard shot was defied by the left upright.

It was an intriguing mix of styles, as Australia crashed forward while the Argentines passed their way up and down the pitch. It was producing an attractive game as well, and Australia could have the lead in the 25th-minute when Bresciano's 30m free kick hit the bar, rebounded off Abbondanzieri's head, back off the bar, off the keeper again and out.

Argentina sought to capitalise on that fortune with Messi again through, only to be denied by an advancing Mark Schwarzer. The Barcelona star then put through Federico Insua in the 35th minute and almost embarrassed the Australian keeper, only for the defence to step in and clear.

Despite Messi's influence, the Aussies refused to drop the tempo of the match, and on their next attack the ball fell to Lucas Neill from a corner, but he shot high and wide. Somehow, the half ended scoreless, but it was not for want of trying, especially from Messi, and the MCG crowd cheered both sides as they headed to the break.

Tevez's influence on the game grew early in the second half and he won the free kick which resulted in the opening goal. From the set piece, Messi delivered to an unmarked Demichelis, who steered the ball past Schwarzer off the left-hand post and into the net.

Josip Skoko bid farewell to Australian international football, replaced by Carl Valeri soon after and then Carney then almost produced an equaliser with an audacious chip which had Abbondazieri back peddling and tipping over the bar. Another excellent Bresciano free kick produced a similar effort from the Argentine custodian soon after.

The Palermo midfielder departed with Brett Holman on and Nick Carle replaced Thompson