SAO PAULO — First-half goals from Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Diego Tardelli saw Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in Sao Paulo Sunday in its first home game since last year's World Cup. With the Copa America coming up later this month, Brazil was looking to get into gear for the continental championship by reconnecting with home fans after an eight-match run of friendly wins under coach Dunga. Dunga, Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning skipper, led the five-time world champion to the 2007 Copa title. He began a second spell in charge last July replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari who stepped down following the Auriverde's World Cup semifinal thrashing by Germany. Sunday's game was Brazil's first back on home soil since it went on to lose Scolari's last match at the helm, 3-0 to the Netherlands, in the World Cup match for third place. Since taking over, Dunga has overseen eight friendly wins abroad as he looks to rebuild the squad. With Neymar absent from the encounter in Sao Oaulo after his Champions League-winning exploits with Barcelona in Berlin Saturday, it was left to Coutinho to put the host on the road to victory. Belgium edges France Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored twice as Belgium produced a scintillating attacking display to win 4-3 away to France also Sunday. With the European Championship one year away, Belgium — second in FIFA's rankings — will certainly be one of the team's to watch. Even more so after this accomplished performance against World Cup quarterfinalist France, which scored two late consolation goals to soften a humiliating defeat. Russia beats Belarus Coach Fabio Capello's Russia came from behind to beat Belarus 4-2 in a friendly thanks to goals from two young newcomers. The win is a boost for Capello after his team's struggles in Euro 2016 qualifying, where Russia is third in its group. “I'm happy with the result and I'm happy with the young players, who showed what they can do,” the Italian told Russian media. Ireland, England draw Ireland and England fought to a scoreless draw in the first Dublin friendly between the two rivals since 1995, when rioting English fans were involved in the worst soccer-related violence in Irish history. Ireland enjoyed the better first-half scoring opportunities, thanks to pinpoint set-piece deliveries from Robbie Brady. England raised its attacking tempo in the second half but couldn't seriously test second-half substitute Shay Given, who received his 129th cap in goal. Gijon snatches promotion A 3-0 victory for Sporting Gijon at champion Real Betis saw it snatch promotion to La Liga on a dramatic final day of the season Sunday as Girona conceded a goal in injury time to draw 1-1 at home to Lugo and miss out. Sporting, which was relegated from La Liga three years ago, trailed Girona in the fight for second place by two points going into the final set of matches with leader Betis already assured of promotion. Goals from Miguel Angel Guerrero, Jony Rodriguez and Isma Lopez against Betis saw it leapfrog into second on goal difference while heartbroken Girona do still have a chance of reaching La Liga through the playoffs. — Agencies
