By: AP, Reuters

Diego Tardelli scored twice to lead Brazil to a 2-0 win over Argentina in a friendly on Saturday, with Lionel Messi missing a penalty that would have tied the game in the first half.

Tardelli volleyed home the opening goal in the 28th minute at the Bird’s Nest. Messi had a chance to level in the 41st after Angel Di Maria was fouled in the area, but his penalty was saved by Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson.

“If I had scored, everything would’ve changed, it would’ve been a new game,’’ Messi said. “They wanted to defend and counterattack.

“The team is going through changes, with a new coach who has a different idea than the previous one. We’re trying new things, and that requires training, time, games, and little by little the team will reach its level and will get what it wants.’’

Tardelli scored his second after a goalmouth scramble in the 64th, heading the ball past Sergio Romero to seal the win.

The Argentines, runners-up at the World Cup, were gifted an opportunity to draw level four minutes before halftime when they were awarded a soft penalty by Chinese official

Fan Qi. Brazil has won three straight games under coach Dunga after a disappointing end to the World Cup. Veterans Kaka and Robinho both came on as late substitutes.

Tardelli, given his debut by Dunga in his first reign, was replaced with eight minutes to go by Kaka, another returning favourite of the coach, who made his first international appearance in over 18 months. Kaka had little impact though as Messi continued to press for Argentina, firing a late free kick just wide with new manager Gerardo Martino tasting defeat for the first time.

After the bite, Suarez back with a bang

Luis Suarez made his first international appearance since being banned for biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup and played a part in Uruguay’s goal as they drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Friday.

Uruguay went ahead two minutes into the second half in Jeddah when a volley by Barcelona striker Suarez from Nicolas Lodeiro’s cross came back off the post, hit midfielder Hassan Fallatah and went in for an own goal. Suarez, who came off after 69 minutes, was clearly delighted to be back in action and celebrated with an emotionally charged run towards the crowd. In a strange twist of fate, Chiellini also had a night to remember, scoring all three goals, including one at the wrong end as Italy beat Azerbaijan 2-1 in a Euro 2016 qualifying match in Palermo.

The names of Suarez and Chiellini will forever be linked after what happened in the World Cup, and although the Uruguayan did not get on the score sheet in his first match for his country since that infamous bite, he celebrated as if he had.