RIO DE JANEIRO, September 12 -- Brazil defeated Argentina 71-69 in the FIBA Women's World Championship at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium, in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

On the first day of the basketball championship, Brazil had a hard time to defeat the Argentineans. Guard Helen Luzs shot the winner with seven seconds to go to ensure the victory.

The Brazilian squad played well in the first quarter and established a 12-point lead. Brazil's head coach Antonio Carlos Barbosa replaced the starters in the second quarter, and the team began to make a series of mistakes, leaving room for Argentineans to score. At the half of the match, the score was at 40-32, with Brazil still leading,

Argentina continued to claw back in the third quarter, and took the opportunities given by Brazil to score. The Brazilians missed many shots, and their defenses failed to prevent the fast attacks. Five minutes before the final whistle, Argentina tied 54-54.

With starting guard Janeth Arcain back in the team in the last quarter, Brazil started to play well again.

Brazil ranks fourth in the FIBA Ranking, while Argentina comes in the 16th position.

On Wednesday, Brazil will play South Korea, which was defeated 87-57 by Spain in the opener. Argentina will play Spain on the same day.