Landover (USA): It was contrasting results for South American football giants Brazil and Argentina in the football friendlies played Tuesday in the US. A double from Richarlison on his first international start helped Brazil to a 5-0 win over El Salvador here. However, Argentina were held to a goalless draw by Colombia at East Rutherford.
Brazil ran out with a new-look side, with coach Tite giving debuts to goalkeeper Neto and full-back Eder Militao as well as first starts to Richarlison at centre forward and Arthur in midfield.
The new boys looked completely at home against a team ranked 72nd in the world and Brazil took just three minutes to open the scoring when Neymar slotted home a penalty after Richarlison had been brought down in the box.
Richarlison got his name on the scoresheet 13 minutes later when he curled a spectacular shot into the top corner from 15 metres out and on the half hour mark Brazil made it 3-0, Phillipe Coutinho firing home from the edge of the box after Neymar laid the ball into his path.
Both sides made changes at half time but the five-times World Champions took just five more minutes to get a fourth goal, with Richarlison scoring his second when he pounced onto a loose ball to rifle home a low shot from inside the box.
Marquinhos got Brazil a fifth in the final minute when he headed home a corner from Neymar.
However, there was nothing to cheer for fans of both sides in the Argentina-Colombia game in New Jersey.
Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina made a fine diving save to tip an Exequiel Palacios shot over the bar after six minutes while his Argentine counterpart Franco Armani was the busier of the two in the second half but neither side looked like breaking the deadlock.
Argentina, who were without Lionel Messi, fielded a young side and they were unable to make much headway against the more experienced Colombians.