0 friendly win for Argentina over traditional rival Brazil Wednesday, while World Cup holder Spain slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Portugal. While Messi justified his status as the best player in the world with an injury-time solo goal that clinched Argentina's first win over its neighbor in six meetings, Spain conceded four goals for the second time since winning the World Cup. Carlos Martins, an own-goal by Sergio Ramos, Helder Postiga and Hugo Almeida gave the home side victory in Lisbon. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar gave World Cup runner-up the Netherlands a 1-0 win over Turkey, and France outclassed England 2-1 with a goal in each half at Wembley. Italy's experimental lineup needed an 82nd-minute own-goal by Ciprian Marica to salvage a 1-1 draw against Romania in a match marred by racist taunts directed at Azzurri forward Mario Balotelli. A youthful Germany team failed to unlock host Sweden as defenses dominated in a 0-0 draw, while the United States beat South Africa 1-0. Argentina and Brazil looked to be heading for a scoreless draw in Doha, Qatar, after 90 minutes of a match more notable for the occasional rough challenge and bad-tempered reaction than the skills of Ronaldinho and Messi. But the diminutive Argentine collected possession midway inside Brazil's half, beat four opponents and scored with a low shot into the right corner. “Messi means everything to us,” Argentina coach Sergio Batista. “He showed why he's the best player in the world.” Spain eliminated Portugal in the second round of the World Cup in South Africa but was comprehensively beaten in Lisbon. Martins opened the scoring in the 45th from a rebound after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had saved Cristiano Ronaldo's shot and Ramos poked Postiga's goal-bound shot into his own net three minutes after the break. Joao Moutinho found Postiga for the third in the 68th before Hugo Almeida capped the Iberian derby victory in the third minute of injury time. Spain's only wins in six matches since hoisting the World Cup have been in European Championship qualifying, against the weak trio of Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Scotland. It has conceded 12 goals in its past four games. France put its humiliation at this year's World Cup further behind it with a fourth straight win and a fluent display, easing into a 2-0 lead at Wembley before injury-hit England got a late goal back. Karim Benzema beat goalkeeper Ben Foster at the near post in the 16th and Mathieu Valbuena volleyed in from a cross by Bacary Sagna 10 minutes after halftime. Peter Crouch came on as a substitute for the injured Steven Gerrard and volleyed in with his first touch direct from an 86th-minute corner. Romelu Lukaku scored a goal in each half to give Belgium a 2-0 win over Russia, Egypt beat Australia 3-0 to hand Socceroos coach Holger Osieck his first loss since taking over in August, and Ghana dominated possession but was held 0-0 by Saudi Arabia. In qualifying for the 2012 European Championship, Niko Kranjcar scored twice to lead Croatia to a 3-0 win over Malta that completed an unbeaten calendar year for the team for the first time since it started playing international football in 1991. Croatia is top of Group F with 10 points, although second-place Greece is two points back having played one game fewer. In the other qualifier, striker Mikael Forssell scored a second-half hat trick to help Finland to an 8-0 Group E win over tiny San Marino 8-0. Winless San Marino has now conceded 29 goals in five qualifiers. Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine drew 2-2 against Switzerland. Poland, the other co-host, ended an eight-game winless streak as Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast. Serbia beat Bulgaria 1-0, Norway won 2-1 at Ireland and Israel beat Iceland 3-2 in other matches.
