(Sporting Alert) –Lionel Messi scored twice to give Argentina a 2-1 half-time lead against Brazil in their friendly football international at MetLife Stadium.

But it was Brazil, which took the lead in the 23rd minute through Romulo.

However, Messi equalised in the 31st minutes before beating the offside trap to round the goalkeeper and netted his second three minutes later.

Both teams also had their chances to score more goals but they both failed to take the chances.

But Messi and Neymar of Brazil both looked sharp in the opening 45 minutes and could be backed to score in the second.

Argentina: Romero, C, Rodriguez, F, Fernandez, Garay, Zabaleta, Sosa, Mascherano, Gago, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain

Subs: Andujar, Desabato, Lavezzi, M, Rodriguez, Rojo, Aguero, Guinazu, Salvio, A, Fernandez, Campagnaro

Brazil: Rafael, Da Silva, Bruno Uvini, Juan Jesus, Marcelo, Sandro, Romulo, Oscar, Hulk, Leandro Damiao, Neymar

Subs: Jefferson, Luiz, Lucas Silva, Casemiro, Wellington Nem, Giuliano, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Neto

Referee: Ulysses Marrufo ()

Messi scores twice, Argentina leads Brazil 2-1 at HT