Brazil 1 - Chile 0: South American sunshine marred by Medel stamp on Neymar

Posted Monday, March 30, 2015 by Express.co.uk

Neymar and Alexis Sanchez failed to deliver much South American sunshine in north London – but Martin Atkinson did manage to inject some all-too-familiar Premier League refereeing controversy after another stamping storm.

Neymar appeared to be stamped on by former Cardiff man Gary Medel

The last time Brazil and Chile met, they played out one of the most memorable games of last summer's World Cup.

This time it was very different with the expectations of a sold-out Emirates Stadium deflated by a bad-tempered match of few chances and Roberto Firmino's 73rd-minute goal a rare moment to remember.

It would be no surprise to discover Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Brendan Rodgers and Chris Ramsey – the Premier League managers with players involved – watched the game through their fingers, before breathing a sigh of relief that there were no big injuries.

The result, though, was enough for Brazil coach Dunga to declare himself satisfied as his side continued to rebuild morale after the humiliating 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany at last year's World Cup.

But Dunga made it clear Atkinson's performance – and in particular the referee's failure to spot a first-half stamp by Gary Medel on Neymar – had failed to impress.

A week ago, the referee sent off Steven Gerrard for a stamp on Manchester United's Ander Herrera just 38 seconds after the Liverpool captain appeared as a substitute. But earlier this season, Atkinson failed to red card Burnley's Ashley Barnes for connecting with the shin of Chelsea's Nemanja Matic.

And Medel's sneaky move to stand on Neymar's leg would surely have seen Chile reduced to 10 men if Atkinson had seen it.

Dunga said: "The decision is the referee's and we can't talk too much about it. Chile have a great team, very dynamic, but some players make mistakes."

"These days we have 300 cameras focusing on the action so you have to play football."

"My players were not protected very much."

Neymar's reaction did the Brazilian no favours – but he was entitled to feel aggrieved after being sent tumbling by several fouls. Brazil gave as good as they got, though, with Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez also coming in for some full-bloodied treatment – and five Brazilians found their way into Atkinson's notebook.

These antics were at odds with the game's carnival atmosphere. Sanchez was the standout figure, but Chile were unable to carve out a real chance and were caught cold when Hoffenheim striker Firmino rounded goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to secure an eighth win in eight matches for Dunga's side.

Firmino is one of the players blooded by Dunga in the wake of the World Cup and has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Dunga said: "I have analysed him for a long time and he can easily score goals. He can play for any team."