Brazil edge past England, Argentina beaten in soccer friendlies

• Source: Xinhua
• [14:37 November 15 2009]
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Five-time world champions Brazil edged past England with a 1-0 friendly win on Saturday while Argentina lost to Spain 2-1 after Xabi Alonso emerged as the two-goal hero for the European champions.

England last beat Brazil in March 1990 and their injury-weakened team rarely looked like ending that record. The eight meetings since then, including Saturday's in Qatar, have seen four Brazil wins and four draws.

Nilmar headed the only goal two minutes after halftime, then Luis Fabiano missed a penalty and Lucio thundered a shot against the post as Brazil continued to press.

Elsewhere, Italy and the Netherlands drew a blank while World Cup hosts South Africa were held to a goalless draw by Japan.

Serbia, who topped their qualifying group to consign 2006 beaten finalists France to the play-offs, scraped a 1-0 win in Northern Ireland but Switzerland were defeated by the same scoreline by Norway.

Real Madrid's Alonso put one of the favorites for next year's World Cup into a 16th minute lead, the midfielder stabbing home a rebound after Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero could only parry away a shot from David Silva.

Argentina levelled through a Lionel Messi penalty on the hour mark but Xabi's 86th minute spot kick ensured Spain the bragging rights over Diego Maradona's side.

Maradona faces a FIFA disciplinary tribunal in Zurich on Sunday over his unruly behaviour following last month's win in Uruguay which clinched his team's place at the World Cup.

He could receive a ban which would sideline him from part of the tournament.