Brazil snatched a 2-1 friendly win over Austria in Vienna on Tuesday, courtesy of a brilliant late strike from Roberto Firmino. Dunga’s side found themselves matched by their hosts for much of the game, and the Austrians could well feel aggrieved to have lost.
Austria vs. Brazil: Final score 1-2, late Firmino strike settles close game
Austria delivered a good performance at home to Brazil on Tuesday, but eventually succumbed to a narrow defeat.
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Indeed, Austria thought they’d taken the lead in just the sixth minute of the match, when Rubin Okotie put the ball into the back of the net on a floated free-kick. However, the eagle-eyed officials spotted that the 1860 Munich striker had actually palmed the ball into the back of the net, and so promptly chalked the goal off and booked him for his attempted Maradona.
However, Austria continued to look pretty impressive throughout the opening exchanges, with Stoke City winger Marko Arnautović in particular causing problems for the Brazil defence. But even so, the hosts struggled to test goalkeeper Diego Alves.
Still, it was a similar story at the other end, where Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer could've almost set up a deckchair. Brazil's early threat was pretty much entirely restricted to a half-hearted penalty appeal from Oscar, that the referee swiftly dismissed. As the half wore on, an uninspiring Brazil had a couple of efforts from distance, though neither troubled Almer and the game stayed goalless.
The second half picked up where the first had left off, with Brazil patiently probing without ever managing to penetrate the stubborn Austrian defence. That didn’t stop them breaking the deadlock just past the hour, but they required a close-range David Luiz header on an Oscar corner in order to do so.
Austria's initial reaction to going behind was a good one, and Arnautović very almost equalised within minutes on a curled shot that took a deflection off the leg of Brazil full-back Danilo. However, his effort flashed wide, and the hosts survived. But not for long.
With just over a quarter of an hour remaining, Oscar brought down substitute Andreas Weimann in the penalty area, in what was a stonewall penalty. The referee duly pointed to the spot, and centre-back Aleksandar Dragović proceeded to calmly roll the ball past Alves and into the net for his first international goal. On the balance of play, it was a deserved equaliser.
However, football is often unfair, and so it proved again just eight minutes later, when Brazil’s attacking wonderkid Roberto Firmino lashed a brilliant effort from the edge of the penalty area straight into the top corner. This time, the hosts had no response, and were made to settle for an admirably narrow defeat.
Austria: Almer (Özcan 46’); Fuchs, Hinteregger, Dragović, Klein; Ilsanker, Kavlak; Arnautović (Ulmer 76’), Junuzović (Weimann 71’), Harnik (Prödl 88’); Okotie (Sabitzer 54’).
Goals: Dragović (75’).
Brazil: Diego Alves; Filipe Luís, David Luiz, Miranda (Thiago Silva 28’), Danilo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho (Casemiro 82’); Neymar (Marquinhos 90+2’), Oscar (Fred 76’), Willian (Douglas Costa 62’); Luiz Adriano (Firmino 62’)..
Goals: David Luiz (64’), Firmino (83’).
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