( CNN ) -- Karim Benzema shrugged off his club troubles and a violent challenge to give France a 1-0 win over 10-man Brazil in Wednesday 's prestige friendly in Paris . The Real Madrid striker netted the only goal from close range nine minutes into the second half of the rematch of the 1998 World Cup final at the same venue -- which France won 3-0 . He was lucky to escape serious injury five minutes before the break when Brazil midfielder Hernanes was sent off for kicking him in the chest . Benzema has struggled to show his true form in Spain since his $ 48 million move in 2009 , but was a constant threat after the red card and should have added more to his new tally of 12 international goals . However , his 54th-minute strike proved enough , set up by winger Jeremy Menez 's burst down the right and subsequent teasing low cross . Menez was lucky to stay on the pitch after a bad tackle from behind on Brazil defender David Luiz , whose new English club Chelsea will be relieved he escaped injury . It was France 's fifth consecutive win under coach Laurent Blanc , who has revived the team 's fortunes after last year 's first-round exit at the World Cup in South Africa . Brazil coach Mano Menezes suffered a second successive defeat following November 's loss to Argentina . Also on Wednesday , two of the world 's best footballers went head-to-head in neutral Switzerland , and once again Lionel Messi came out on top as Argentina snatched a last-gasp 2-1 friendly win over Portugal . His Real Madrid arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo put the European side level in the 21st minute after Angel Di Maria 's opener in Geneva , but Barcelona superstar Messi gave the South Americans the spoils with a 90th-minute penalty . The duo have matched each other almost goal for goal this season in La Liga , and Messi has the upper hand with Barcelona seven points clear and resounding 5-0 victors in the opening `` Clasico '' clash between the two clubs . And the two-time world player of the year was involved in Argentina 's 14th-minute opener as he cut in from the right in trademark fashion to set up Real winger Di Maria . But Ronaldo , who followed up Messi 's weekend hat-trick with a double of his own to regain top spot in the Spanish scoring charts , pounced from close range soon after from striker Hugo Almeida 's flick-on . Ronaldo should have made it 2-1 soon after halftime but hit the bar from close range , then saw Almeida waste an even better opportunity before both were substituted along with Nani . But Messi stayed on the pitch until the end , and got his reward when Fabio Coentrao fouled substitute Pablo Zabaleta . In another rematch of a past World Cup final , Germany were held 1-1 at home by 1982 champions Italy . Veteran striker Miroslav Klose opened the scoring in the 16th minute after fine build-up play by Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller , beating recalled former captain Gianluigi Buffon in goal . But Giuseppe Rossi -- who shares the surname of 1982 tournament top scorer Paolo -- snatched a late equalizer for Cesare Prandelli 's team , beating keeper Manuel Neuer at the second attempt with nine minutes to play . World champions Spain beat Colombia 1-0 in Madrid thanks to an 86th-minute winner by substitute David Silva . Striker David Villa , seeking to move past Raul as Spain 's record scorer , was denied his 45th international goal when he hit the post in the first half . The Netherlands , beaten in the World Cup final in South Africa last year , defeated Austria 3-1 in Eidhoven . Wesley Sneijder volleyed a 28th-minute opener before second-half goals from striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar -- his 10th goal in six matches -- and Dirk Kuyt from the penalty spot made Marko Arnautovic 's late strike a mere consolation . England came from behind to beat Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen , as Aston Villa forwards Darren Bent and Ashley Young struck in each half after Daniel Agger 's early diving header . Russia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Iran in the United Arab Emirates , as Mohammad Reza Khalatbari netted a last-minute winner and was then sent off after being booked for celebrating . The match was reportedly watched by former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz , who has been linked with the Iran post . South Korea , who were also in action at the Asian Cup recently , drew 0-0 with Turkey . Cameroon warmed up for next month 's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal with a 1-0 win away to Macedonia , with substitute Matthew Mbuta scoring the only goal in the 75th minute in Skopje . South Africa beat Kenya 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Davide Somma and Steven Pienaar , while Morocco defeated Niger 3-0 and Nigeria edged Sierra Leone 2-1 .
France edge Brazil 1-0 in rematch of 1998 World Cup final in Paris . Karim Benzema scores the only goal after surviving horror challenge by Hernanes . Lionel Messi upstages Cristiano Ronaldo with Argentina 's late winner against Portugal . World Cup finalists Spain and the Netherlands both win their friendly outings .