France 1 - 3 Brazil

27.03.2015 18:00

Brazil recorded their seventh successive victory since their 2014 World Cup humiliation as they came from behind to beat France in Paris.

Raphael Varane powerfully headed in Mathieu Valbuena's left-wing corner to put the French ahead.

But Oscar equalised when he linked up with Roberto Firmino and poked the ball past France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Neymar made it 2-1 as he collected Willian's pass and shot past Mandanda before Luiz Gustavo headed in a third.

The victory maintains Dunga's 100% record since he took charge of Brazil for a second time in July.

He is helping to restore some pride to Brazilian football after the side suffered their heaviest ever World Cup defeat when they were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

Luiz Felipe Scolari resigned as coach after the tournament, which also saw Brazil lose 3-0 against the Netherlands in the third-fourth play-off.

Only two of the first XI from that Germany defeat started in Paris and Dunga will be pleased with their fightback after they fell behind to Varane's 21st-minute header.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar equalised before Neymar put the South Americans ahead with his eighth goal in seven internationals.

Dunga, who was previously in charge of Brazil from July 2006 to July 2010, will also be happy with his side's defensive strength.

Varane's goal was only the second Brazil had conceded in seven games and they had to hold on under sustained pressure in the second half when the score was 2-1.

Mamadou Sakho, Moussa Sissoko and Antoine Griezmann were denied by Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson, before Karim Benzema fired a volley over the crossbar.

Those misses proved costly for the French as Gustavo ended the game as a contest when he met Willian's corner.

It was France's first defeat in seven games since their World Cup quarter-final loss to Germany and the scoreline could have been wider as Willian's low shot was well saved by Mandanda.

For Brazil, who play Chile at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday, it was another pleasing night as their footballing recovery continues.

Elsewhere, Chile suffered a shock 2-0 friendly defeat against Iran, while Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao scored twice as Colombia thrashed Bahrain 6-0.

(BBC)

ANN.Az

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