Brazil and Nigeria draw 1-1 as Neymar limps off injured
Brazil vs. Nigeria
A bright and entertaining friendly at Singapore's National Stadium ended all square as Brazil and Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw.
The Super Eagles took the lead against the run of play with Glasgow Rangers striker Aribo quick to react in the Brazil box lashing home in the 35th minute as Marquinhos dawdled.
Brazil were soon level shortly after the interval when Casemiro stabbed home the rebound after Maquinhos had headed off the woodwork.
The draw sees Brazil now failing to win a match in their past four outings with the major concern from the Seleção perspective being Neymar limping off in the 12th minute of the action.
That's it as the final whistle sounds in the National Stadium in Singapore. Brazil now go four consecutive games without a win in what was an entertaining international friebndly bewteen the South American and African giants.
Aribo off/ Shehu on for Super Eagles.
Thiago Silva carded for hauling down Aribo in full flight.
Brazil launch a series of lofted balls into the Nigeria which are easily dealt with by the defence or keeper Okoye.
5' of time to be added.
Into the final minute we go and Brazil are the side on the up as they look for a winner. Two 1-1 draws (despite these games being friendly internationals) will not be well received by the Brazil fans.
Chukwueze off - Olayinka on (Nigeria)
Paqueta on-Gabriel Jesus off (Brazil)
Great chance for Nigeria with Chukwueze driving straight at Ederson. Fine oportuinity for the Villarreal man to put his side ahead.
So close for Brazil as Coutinho almost stabs the ball home as his fires his effort at a Nigeria defender assisting in defensive duties.
Iwobi off and Granada's Azeez on for the Super Eagles.
Chukwueze has an effort from outside the Brazil box and drives a left footed shot which fails to trouble Ederson.
Not a day to remember from Villarreal's Chukwueze as the player fails to control the ball and has certainly delivered better displays in a Nigeria shirt.
Arthur off- Fabinho on for Brazil.
The Brugges man making his second appearance in the Nigeria shirt and fresh from his brace at the Santiago Bernabeu for his club against Real Madrid.
Moses Simon off with Emmanuel Dennis his replacement for Nigeria.
Nigerian sub Paul Onuachu is 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) tall and is a fine target man for the Super Eagles .
Final 15' here in Singapore. Brazil on top now with Nigeria reduced to launching sporadic counter attacks. Richarlison and Gabigol both looking good for the Brazilian side since coming on.
Onuachu on for Osimhen. Nigeria change.
Brazil almost make it 2 as Gabigol works the ball well but Okoye is on hand to deny Brazil.
Nigeria celebrate the opening goal of the night.
More changes... nope scratch that it's an early cooling break which doesn't do much for the flow of the action.
Just over 20' remaining in Singapore with the game nicely poised.
No outfield changes yet for the Nigerian side.
The game takes a dip in intensity with the flow of substitutions not helping the rthythm of the match.
Okoye on for Nigeria as the Fortuna Dusseldorf II keeper makes his international debut.
Gabigol on for Brazil (Gabriel Barbosa to you and I) as Firmino makes way.
Looks like the keeper will need to be subbed as the Omonia appeared to fall akwardly after collinding with Casemiro.
Uzoho on the ground with an injury.
Collins intercepts a dangerous Alves ball as Brazil turn the screw now as Casemiro crashes the ball off the crossbar. Nigeria on the ropes now with the second Brazil goal just a question of time it would appear.
Richarlison draws the ball across the box but no-one in a yellow shirt there to tap home. The Everton striker has look bright since his introduction.
Gabriel Jesus almost makes it two for Brazil as Uzoho saves well tipping the ball around the post as Brazil push looking for another goal.
Reading reports pre-game about Gernot Rohr complaining of non payment from the Nigerian Football Federation. Hope this can be resolved soon as the German manager is certainly pressing the right buttons with this young Super Eagles side.
Chukwueze finds Osimhen but the Lille forward's header is tame and easy for Ederson to gather.
The Super Eagles XI ahead of the match
A bad, bad time for Nigeria to score...there's never a good time but just after the break as both teams find their way after the interval immediately hands an emotional advantage to the side who scores.
Marquinhos heads off the bar with the Real Madrid man alert as the ball ricochets off the woodwork.
Danger from Gabriel Jesus (again) and this time Collins forced to intercept and concede the corner.
No changes from Nigeria at the interval.
Richarlison on for Everton at the break, there's a joke in there somewhere : )
We're back underway in Singapore.
We'll be right back with all the second half action from Singapre. Can Nigeria hang on to claim a famous victory or will Tite's men dig deep and get the samba soccer in motion? All revealed in the next 45'!
HT in Singapore, Nigeria lead 1-0 at the break and have certainly ended the game the stronger side. Neymar limping off in the 13th minute another key talking point the game has thrown up.
Into the final minute of reguilar time we go. The goal has been a great trigger for the game, inspiring Nigeria and promoting Brazil to shake off the early lethargy.
Casemiro fouled close to the area. Uzoho lines up the wall as Coutinho strikes and the ball zips just past the post. A let-off for Nigeria there.
Nigeria also look disciplined and organised in defensive duties, imperative that they maintain this level for the full 90 minutes.
Osimhen looks the business for Nigeria today. Always busy and causing problems for the Brazil rear-guard. No surprise he's the current top scorer in France.
Gabriel Jesus goes close for Brazil but forces a corner as Tite's men look to claw a way back here.
Thiago Silva and Marquinhos as the first choice Brazilian central defensive pairing ....discuss....
Ndidi fires from long range but Ederson gathers well. The Super Eagles buoyed with their goal now.
The Super Eagles take the lead in Nigeria and it's Rangers Joe Aribo who latches on to a breaking ball in the box as the striker steals in and fires past Ederson.
Stat attack to coincide with the cooling break:
The Brazil team ahead of the game.
Time for a cooling break here at the National Stadium in Singapore with 28C and a humidity level of 80%.
Yet to see much of Joe Aribo for Nigeria and expected more from Everton who always looks threatening for his Gremio side. Brazil go close again as Coutinho fires straight at the Omionia keeper in the Nigeria goal.
Great effort from Brazil as Uzoho saves well from Gabriel Jesus heading expertly after a fine Casemiro delivery. Best chance of the game for the Brazilian side so far tonight.
Now Brazil's turn to pass the ball about with no way through the green shirts of Nigeria at present.
Good passage of possession from Nigeria as they move the ball comfortably from one side of the pitch to another. Best spell from the Super Eagles in the game to date.
Marquinhos almost puts the ball into his own net with an awkward clearance just going over the bar. The PSG defender has been criticised in recent times from the Brazil fan base and clearly suffeered from indecision with that clearance.
Clear domination from Brazil possession-wise after 18'
Coutinho goes to ground on the edge of the area and appeals for a free-kick. Nothing going for the Singaporean referee who waves play on.
Neymar subbed off after 12 minutes the major talking point of the game here in Singapore.
Coutinho on for Neymar. Major drama for Tite and especially his club PSG. The striker seemed to be holding his hamstring as he left the pitch.
Gabriel Jesus breaks into the area and again it's Simon who blocks the Man City player.
As was the case on Thursday, the yellow Brazil shirt is the predominant shirt on display in the National stadium stand followed by that of Liverpool.
This is a very young Super Eagles side with an average age in the team of 24 years of age.
I'm convinced Dani Alves gets better with age !
Victor Osimhen goes close for Nigeria forcing Ederson to save well. Great chance for the Lille striker to pen the scoring who has started the season well for his club in Ligue 1.
Brazil pile on the pressure as they desperately manage to clear the first corner of the day. The Super Eagles yet to have time on the ball.
Brazil wearing blue socks as opposed to white as earlier mentioned !
Great turn and effort from Firmino after latching onto the ball after fine work from Everton.
Gabriel Jesus breaks into the Nigeria area and it needs Simon to block the Manchester City man's effort. A bright start here from the Seleção.
Off we go as local referee Foo Chuan Hui gets the action underway.
Another player to watch out for today is Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi who earns just his second cap.
Once again, a very sparse crowd at the Singapore National Stadium. One would suggest that there are even less fans at the vast 52.000 capacity ground than were present for the Brazil v Senegal game on Thursday.
National anthem time, first up, that of Brazil.
Looking forward to seeing Joe Aribo in action today with the Rangers player impressing since moving from Charlton Athletic to Scotland.
The teams are in the tunel, Brazil too in their iconic yellow shirts, blue shorts and white socks.
The Brazil mascot greets national team coach Tite as the Brazilian delegation arrive at the Singapore National Stadium.
Recap:
Brazil XI: Ederson; Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Lodi; Arthur, Casemiro; Firmino, Jesus, Everton, Neymar
Nigeria XI: Ozoho, Awaziem, Collins, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Simon
Brazilian fans will be hoping for a superior display from the Seleção after a rather lackluster 1-1 draw against Senegal last Thursday in the same venue.
PSG striker Neymar expected to start for Tite today and earn his 101st cap for the national side.
Another sticky day in Singapore with thunderstorms forecast at kick-off. The 80% humidity level is far from ideal for players and spectators alike too.
The Brazil mascot will be on duty today, scaring young children with his Carioca scowl.
Still no team news confirmation with less than 60' to go to kick-off. It's expected that both managers will uses string starting XI's and use the second half as a chance to test out newer players.
The action from the Singapore National Stadium gets underway at 14:00 CEST.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Brazil's international friendly as they face the Nigeria 'Super Eagles' in Singapore.