Striker Fred scored early in the second half to help Brazil defeat Serbia 1-0 in its final warm-up before the World Cup on Friday.
Brazil was struggling and fans were jeering the squad when Fred found the net from inside the area in the 58th minute at a nearly packed Morumbi Stadium. He chested down a cross by Thiago Silva and hit a right footed shot as he fell in between two Serbian defenders.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari used the same team that is expected to play in the opener against Croatia on Thursday.
Nearly 70,000 people attended the match at the Morumbi for the final warm-up, more than the 61,000 expected for the opening match, which will also be played in Sao Paulo.
Germany thrashes Armenia 6-1
Germany beat Armenia 6-1 in its last friendly match before the World Cup but influential midfielder Marco Reus’ participation in the tournament was left hanging in the balance.
Reus was helped off the pitch before the break after twisting his left ankle. He was taken to the hospital to determine the full extent of the injury.
Lukas Podolski came on for Reus and set up scorer Andre Schuerrle in the 52nd minute.
Podolski crossed for Miroslav Klose to claim his record 69th international goal in the 77th.
Mario Goetze added the fifth and sixth in the 82nd and 89th.
Klose passes Mueller as Germany’s all-time leading scorer
Miroslav Klose took over sole possession atop Germany’s all-time scoring list as he scored his 69th goal during Germany’s thrashing of Armenia.
The 35-year-old Klose hit home Germany’s fourth goal in the final warm-up before the World Cup, which was also his 132nd cap.
“Of course it means a lot to me. But more important for me was that I was able to get back into form,” said Klose, who had been even on 68 goals with Gerd Mueller.
The legendary striker Mueller however needed just 62 matches to score his 68 goals.
Klose evened the mark on September 6, 2013 in Germany’s 3-0 victory over Austria in their World Cup qualification campaign. His first goal came on March 24, 2001 against Albania in Leverkusen.
Klose’s next goal could be an even more meaningful one. The German has scored 14 World Cup goals -- even with Mueller but one behind all-time leader, Brazilian Ronaldo.
Klose’s first chance to even the Brazilian’s mark is against Portugal on June 16. Germany also face Ghana and the United States in Group G.
