London--Brazil extended their winning streak under new coach Dunga to eight matches as Roberto Firmino came off the bench to secure a 1-0 win over Chile in a feisty friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Hired for a second spell in charge in the aftermath of their humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat against Germany last year, Dunga is restoring his country's pride in their national team and he will earn more plaudits for the astute substitution that brought on match-winner Firmino.
The Hoffenheim attacking midfielder's second-half goal capped an impressive few days for Brazil, who won 3-1 against France in Paris on Thursday and survived a bruising encounter with South American rivals Chile in north London to maintain Dunga's 100 percent record.
Dunga, who captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, is overseeing a period of transition ahead of the Copa America in Chile in June and his team have now scored 18 goals and conceded only two under his no-nonsense leadership.
In contrast, Chile's third defeat in four matches leaves them with plenty to work to do before their Copa challenge.
After Brazil's penalty shoot-out victory against Chile in the last 16 of the World Cup, there was clearly some lingering ill-feeling between the teams.
Chile's Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez was pictured in a relaxed mood playing with his dogs before a training session earlier in the week, but there were no creature comforts in his adopted home as a crunching challenge from Souza sent him crashing to the turf.
Chile's Miiko Albornoz sought immediate retribution and his crude tackle on Neymar left the Brazil captain crumpled in a heap.
Referee Martin Atkinson kept his cards in his pocket after those two offences, but he was less lenient when Albornoz once again targeted Barcelona star Neymar with a cynical foul.
AFP
