RIYADH, Oct 13: Brazil struggled to a 2-0 win over hosts Saudi Arabia in a stuttering performance on a muggy night in Riyadh in an international friendly.
Manchester City�s Gabriel Jesus scored just before half-time and Alex Sandro powered in a header from a Neymar corner in the sixth-minute of injury time.
Brazil will next play arch-rivals Argentina on Tuesday.
Argentina, who will be without the rested Lionel Messi, beat Iraq 4-0 on Thursday. Brazil will be the more concerned team ahead of Tuesday�s showdown in Jeddah as they failed to spark against the Saudis, who almost found themselves a goal up after six minutes, before Casemiro hacked clear.
Jesus, who missed Brazil�s friendly victories over the United States (2-0) and El Salvador (5-0) last month, celebrated his return to the side with a goal just before half time. Jesus saw a goal-bound header brilliantly saved by Saudi keeper Mohammed Al Owais before Neymar slipped him in to score in the 43rd minute. � AFP
