BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, June 18 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Dunga was jeered by the crowd as his side were held to a 0-0 home draw by Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Argentina played the more flowing football and will be much

happier with the result than the hosts, despite a double miss

by Lionel Messi in stoppage-time.

The visitors ended a run of defeats by their arch-rivals,

having lost the previous three meetings by three-goal margins,

and went second in the South American group with 11 points, two

behind leaders Paraguay.

Brazil, beaten 2-0 by Paraguay on Sunday, are fourth on

nine points after completing their third game without scoring

and narrowly avoiding a first-ever home defeat in a World Cup

qualifier.

'It was a bad result at home,' Brazil striker Robinho told

the Sportv cable channel.

The Mineirao crowd lost patience with Dunga in the second

half, chanting 'Goodbye Dunga', among other things, and

'Donkey, donkey' when he replaced Adriano with Luis Fabiano.

Dunga, who had no previous coaching experience, was

appointed after the 2006 World Cup.

Julio Cruz and Sergio Aguero missed gilt-edged chances for

Argentina and Brazil's disorganised midfield struggled to

string passes together.

Argentina's Jonas Gutierrez, one of four changes made by

coach Alfio Basile to the starting line-up from Sunday's 1-1

draw with Ecuador, set up the first chance for Julio Cruz,

whose header was saved by Julio Cesar.

Brazil created their best chance when Robinho broke down

the right and the ball fell to Julio Baptista but his shot was

turned away brilliantly by Roberto Abbondanzieri.

One minute later, Abbondanzieri rushed out of his penalty

area and was rounded by Robinho but the Argentina defence got

back in time to smother the danger.

But Brazil lost their rhythm after midfielder Anderson

twisted his knee and was replaced by Diego.

The visitors had an excellent chance shortly before

halftime when Fabricio Coloccini sent a long ball forward to

Messi, who broke clear but mis-hit his shot across the face of

the goal.

Argentina had another chance in the 56th minute when Juan

Roman Riquelme's pass found Cruz free in the area but the

target man fired over.

Messi beat two defenders before his shot was deflected and

Riquelme had another effort saved by Julio Cesar as the

visitors continued to press forward.

Julio Baptista was Brazil's most dangerous player, forcing

Abbondanzieri to tip away a free kick and make another

difficult save with a hooked shot.

But Argentina, with Riquelme stroking the ball around

confidently and Messi taunting the Brazil defence, looked more

dangerous and Aguero wasted another chance by firing over the

crossbar.

Messi nearly snatched victory in stoppage-time when he

unleashed a shot which was well saved by Julio Cesar and the

forward fired wide from the rebound.