Brazil and Argentina play out goal-less draw

(BEIJING, June 19) South America's two top football nations, Brazil and Argentina, tied their sixth 2010 World Cup group qualifying match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The match was a tense highly competitive affair which saw the referee issue five yellow cards (two to Brazil, three to Argentina.)

Argentine forward, Lionel Messi came closest to breaking the stalemate with a double chance in injury time. He was first player to pounce onto his own 30-yard shot, which was spilled by the goalkeeper, but blazed his shot wide.

The visitors created more opportunities throughout but failed to trouble Brazilian goalkeeper, Julio Cesar.

In the 45th minute, the onrushing Messi collected a superb long-ball from Fabricio Colocchini inside the Brazil penalty area, but pulled his shot well wide.

After the break, Julio Cruz misses a glorious chance for Argentina in the 56th minute when well-placed inside the box. Juan Riquelme then set the Inter Milan striker up with a delightful touch, but he fired over Cesar's crossbar.

Six minutes later, Brazil's best effort of the game saw Argentine gatekeeper Pato Abbondanzieri push Julio Baptsita's curling set-piece over the bar.

One point from this game has lifted Brazil into the top four of the 10-team South American group. They have a total of nine points from their six matches