Facundo Roncaglia was the first to test the palms of Alisson with his mishit cross nearly catching the Brazil goalkeeper unaware.
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Argentina has only two points from three qualifying games.
Argentina and Brazil drew 1-1 in their much-awaited World Cup qualifier on Friday, with neither of the traditional South American powers able to secure the victory needed to kick-start their slow start to the 2018 qualifying campaign. “But in the second half we were better and nearly turned the game”. Argentina are without an array of key players, with captain Lionel Messi and strikers Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez all injured.
Two minutes later Brazil were fortunate that no one was on hand to get a touch on Di Maria’s shot that flashed across the face of the goal.
On Friday, Argentina were dominant in Buenos Aires but could find the net only once through Ezequiel Lavezzi before Lucas Lima’s second-half equaliser.
David Luiz was booked after 86 minutes for throwing an elbow and he was lucky not to get sent off for the rash intervention.
Lavezzi broke through as Argentina dominated the first half, lashing in a short-range shot from a ideal cross from the right side by Gonazlo Higuain. “We played a serious game and, unfortunately, they drew level with one isolated move”.
With seconds remaining in normal time, David Luiz was given his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card in two minutes for a late lunge.
Two points from a possible nine see the 2015 Copa America runners-up languish down in ninth place and Martino said points were all that mattered.
“We missed with a few of our passing in the first half, and Argentina could take advantage of the counter-attacks”.
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Argentina now go to Barranquilla to play Colombia on Tuesday, while Brazil have an easier task at home against Peru who picked up their first win after beating Paraguay 1-0. Uruguay played without Barcelona star Luis Suarez, who is banned following his penalty for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in last year’s World Cup.
