MELBOURNE, Sept 11: A second-half header from Martin Demichelis gave Argentina a 1-0 victory over Australia in an entertaining friendly on Tuesday.

After both sides had rattled the woodwork, the Bayern Munich midfielder got the faintest of glances on Lionel Messi’s in-swinging freekick on 49 minutes to secure the victory.

Barcelona playmaker Messi had hit the post from a distance in the first half before Mark Bresciano’s freekick for Australia managed to stay out after twice being deflected on to the bar by goal-keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The match was Australia’s first since they went out of the Asian Cup at the quarter-finals stage in July, while Argentina were using the contest as preparation for the South American World Cup qualifiers which get underway next month.

—Reuters