Portugal had their first shot on target in stoppage time to clinch a narrow 1-0 win over Argentina in an international friendly at Old Trafford this evening.

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The World Cup runners-up looked for an early goal when Lionel Messi slotted in a through-ball for Angel di Maria, but his low drive was just wide at his club's home ground.

Messi could have broken the deadlock himself a few minutes later when Lucas Biglia crossed the ball in, but the Barcelona forward's shot was just off target.

Argentina continued to look the more likely in the first half as Javier Pastore saw his header saved before Messi blasted the ball over from a free kick around 25 yards out.

Neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo returned for the second half, which continued to see Argentina dominate the possession.

Di Maria tested Rui Patricio with a powerful drive from distance following a quick break from Cristian Ansaldi, but the Portugal keeper palmed it away.

The Portuguese players won a string of free kicks late on as they tried to press for a winner in the final minutes, but struggled to put Beto under pressure.

However, Raphael Guerreiro was there to pounce in stoppage time when Ricardo Quaresma crossed the ball in, leaving the defender with a simple header in to steal the win.