A last-gasp goal from World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi helped Argentina enjoy a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Brazil Wednesday in a friendly international played Wednesday in Doha, dpa reported.
In other friendlies, Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrated away victories against Russia and Slovakia, respectively, while Hungary registered a 2-0 win over Lithuania thanks to second-half goals from Tamas Priskin and Balazs Dzsudzsak.
Argentina's five-year run without a victory over their neighbours looked set to continue at the Khalifa stadium until Messi struck with a trademark dribble and shot in stoppage time to give new coach Sergio Batista a winning start in his first game in charge.
Both team appeared to be settling for a draw until the Barcelona striker traded passes with Ezeguiel Lavezzi around the centre circle before setting off on a run towards the Brazilian penalty area.
Although surrounded by four Brazilians, he managed to fashion enough space to the left to fire in a shot from just inside the area to beat the diving Viktor in goal.
Brazil coach Mano Menezes called up veteran Ronaldinho for the prestige friendly, which was played in Doha as part of Qatar's efforts to showcase its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Overall, the Selecao enjoyed the better of the opportunities, including a Dani Alves shot that rattled the bar early on after a one-two with David Luiz, but the paid the price for dropping off in the second-half as Messi's moment of magic sealed the win.
Teenage striker Romelu Lukaku netted both goals as Belgium surprised Russia 2-0 in a delayed match played in Voronezh.
The visitors arrived late for the encounter after their flight from Moscow was delayed because of fog but Lukaku needed just 90 seconds to put the Belgians in front following an error from Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
The Anderlecht striker scored his second of the game 17 minutes from time with a firmly struck shot from 10 metres. Bosnia defeated Slovakia 3-2 in a friendly played in Bratislava thanks to goals from Haris Medunjanin, Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko.
Slovakia went ahead through Filip Sebo but Medunjanin equalized with a strike from the edge of the area to send the sides in level at the break.
Further goals from Pjanic and Dzeko put Bosnia in control but substitute Peter Grajciar reduced the deficit to 3-2 on 64 minutes.
In other action, Estonia could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Liechtenstein, Albania played out a scoreless draw with Macedonia while Israel beat Iceland 3-2 and Serbia defeated Bulgaria 1-0.