Today five-time world champions Brazil came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a friendly played in Singapore.
Nigeria were lifted by a first-half goal scored by Joe Aribo, but after the break Brazil restored parity and could have won this contest on the back of pressure they exerted after they improved on a poor first-half display.
There were Eagles debuts for goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Peter Olayinka.
Super Eagles took the lead after 34 minutes courtesy of the individual brilliance of Aribo, who ran through the heart of the Brazil defence after he was teed off by Moses Simon.
It was his second goal in as many games for Nigeria after he also scored on his debut against Ukraine last month.
Brazil enjoyed more of the ball at the start of this high-profile contest, but it was Victor Osimhen who had the first clear chance to score for Nigeria after five minutes, but somehow he was denied by a big save by the goalkeeper.
The South Americans were further unsettled following the forced exit of Neymar no thanks to a hamstring injury after just 11 minutes.
Nigeria could even have gone ahead in the 19th minute, when defender Marquinos sliced a cross by Samuel Chukwueze just over his own goal.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was then forced to make two successive saves soon after before Aribo rose to the occasion with the opening goal.
The young shot stopper will be forced out of the game on the hour as a result of injury after Brazil had drawn level through a scrambled effort by Casemiro in the 48th minute.
The equaliser settled Brazilian nerves as they piled the pressure on Nigeria for the winning goal.
They created the better chances with Philippe Coutinho seeing his goal-bound effort from inside the box timely cleared out of danger by Semi Ajayi five minutes from time, and somehow the Eagles held out to earn a credible result against the team ranked No 2 in the world by FIFA.
Eagles Starting XI vs Brazil
Francis Uzoho (Maduka Okoye 62)- Jamilu Collins (Peter Olayinka 88), Chidozie Awaziem, Semi Ajayi, William Ekong (Captain) – Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo (Shehu Abdullahi 90) – Alex Iwobi (Ramon Azeez 84), Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon (Emmanuel Dennis 79) – Victor Osimhen (Paul Onuachu 73)
