Football friendly: Ronaldo-Messi showdown damp as Portugal beat Argentina

ManchesterCristiano Ronaldos latest duel with Lionel Messi proved a damp squib as the two superstars played for just 45 minutes of Portugals 10 friendly win over Argentina at Old Trafford on TuesdayThe 27th meeting between Portugal winger Ronaldo and Argentina forward Messi had been billed as a golden opportunity for the worlds two best players to underline their credentials for this years Ballon Dor awardCristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shake hands Pic AgenciesBetween them current holder Ronaldo and Messi have won the past six coveted Ballon DOr contests awarded to the player voted the worlds best by managers players and journalistsBut neither Barcelonas Messi nor Real Madrids Ronaldo were anywhere near their brilliant best with the latter especially anonymous on just his second return to Old Trafford since his 2009 move from Manchester United In the end Portugal claimed only their second win over Argentina and their first since 1972 thanks to Raphael Guerreiros diving header in stoppagetimeDespite the presence of Ronaldo and Messi fan interest had been tepid and the disappointing attendance of 41233 provided a suitably lowkey backdrop to a forgettable encounter which proved the stayaways had got it rightInevitably all eyes were on the sports two marquee figures whose relationship is said to be on the frosty side when they emerged onto the pitch after exchanging a brief handshake and rather strained smiles in the tunnel Ronaldo was given a warm welcome by his old fans who also made an extra effort to make the United legend feel at home by aiming a few jeers at Messi when the Argentine was in possessionMessi didnt look bothered by that inhospitable reception and he provided the first chance when his pass picked out Angel di Maria with the Manchester United winger curling just wide from the edge of the penalty area Messi gave a glimpse of his dazzling closecontrol when he worked space for a low shot that flashed across goal from an acute angleBut there was a worrying moment for United manager Louis van Gaal when Di Maria went down in a crumpled heap after being caught on the foot by a late challenge ironically from Nani who remains on Uniteds books despite being loaned to Sporting Lisbon With United plagued by injures at present Van Gaal watching from the stands must have breathed a sigh of relief when Di Maria returned to the fray Steal the spotlight A rare moment of attacking ingenuity saw Argentinas Javier Pastore force Beto into action with a save from Facundo Roncaglias cross That finally provoked a response from Ronaldo who teased Roncaglia with a pair of impudent stepovers before shooting wastefully offtarget with Danny unmarked in a better positionBut aside from that shot and a clever backheel which released Jose Bosingwa for a wayward cross there was little from Ronaldo to get the Old Trafford crowd out of their seats Messis freekick failed to trouble Beto moments later as the superstars unsuccessfully tried to steal the spotlightThe headline act ended at the break when Ronaldo was replaced by Ricardo Quaresma and Messi made way for Nicolas Gaitan Di Maria who moments earlier had tested Beto with a longrange effort was replaced by Juventus striker Carlos Tevez early in the second half making his second Argentina appearance in a week after being recalled from a threeyear international exileTevez a familiar face to fans in Manchester after spells at United and then City saw Gaitan guide a looping header wide soon after his introduction But it was Fernando Santoss side who won it when Lorient leftback Guerreiro was left completely unmarked to head in Quaresmas cross