Roberto Firmino’s goal gave Brazil a 1-0 victory over Chile in a feisty friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium yesterday, their eighth successive win since last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

Firmino, a 61st-minute substitute, burst clear after 73 minutes and expertly rounded Chile keeper Claudio Bravo before dispatching a simple finish into the empty goal.

Brazil’s Neymar and Chile’s Alexis Sanchez were the standout players for their sides but were often wasteful after dazzling build-up play in a full-blooded game punctuated by a host of fouls.

Brazil, who beat France 3-1 last week, have won all eight matches under coach Dunga since finishing fourth in last year’s World Cup and they have now lost just seven times in 70 games against South American rivals Chile.

The mercurial Neymar cut a frustrated figure in the opening stages as he was hounded by Chile’s rugged defence.

At the other end Arsenal’s effervescent talisman Sanchez flicked, tricked and turned his way through Brazil’s midfield but rarely had a clear sight of goal.

Neymar was left writhing on the floor midway through the half after an apparent stamp by Gary Medel in an incident which encapsulated a fractious opening that had simmered rather than sparkled.

Neymar’s teasing free-kick evaded desperate lunges from Souza and Miranda before Douglas Costa blazed over.

In a more open start to the second half Sanchez twice went close with speculative free-kicks as Chile began to assert their authority on proceedings.

But largely against the run of play Firmino was released to nervelessly score the game’s solitary goal.

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