South American football pivotal matchup between CONMEBOL superpowers Argentina and Brazil is scheduled for Wednesday at the renowned Maracana.
The five-time world champions, who are currently having a terrible start to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, are at the worst possible time for one of the most eagerly awaited matches on the international calendar.
After a perfect 2022 qualifying campaign, Brazil, the only country in World Cup history to have participated in every final event, planned to maintain their hold on continental supremacy.
With back-to-back victories against Bolivia and Peru to begin the South American qualification group, interim manager Fernando Diniz appeared capable of putting together another standard season.
The wheels have fallen off, though, as the Selecao lost 2-1 to Colombia last week, going winless in three straight World Cup qualifying matches for the first time since 2004.
If it’s any comfort to the Brazilians, Marcelo Bielsa’s soaring Uruguay team won 2-0 at Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera, just like their bitter opponents.
Following their historic World Cup victory in Qatar last year, La Albiceleste had a perfect eight-game record until Uruguay’s first victory against Argentina since 2013.
The team led by Lionel Scaloni entered the game with the intention of preserving their perfect four-game start to the current qualifying season, but they ended up going scoreless for the first time since a goalless draw with Brazil in November 2021.
Match Preview
On and off the field, Superclasico de las Americas frequently elicits a wide range of emotions, which
Recent encounters between the two South American heavyweights have been tainted by raucous scenes and many bookings, demonstrating that although it tends to bring out the best in players, it can also bring out the worst in them.
As long as they can end Argentina’s three-match scoring drought and record their first head-to-head victory since eliminating them from the 2019 Copa America semifinals, Brazil won’t be troubled by another bitter encounter.
Diniz soldiers are in a strange place. They are one point below the four automatic qualification spots in the CONMEBOL rankings, but it’s too early to make any judgments.
Argentina will be more motivated to bounce back from their first defeat since losing to Saudi Arabia in Qatar since they are aware that a victory in Rio de Janeiro may push Brazil out of the top six, contingent on other outcomes.
However, since their last qualification victory over the Selecao was in 1990, La Albiceleste has not had much success on Brazilian land, particularly when the World Cup is a major focus.
Argentina had lost three of their four prior away World Cup qualifiers against Brazil in the twenty-first century prior to the notorious cancellation of their match in the most recent qualifying campaign.
With eight consecutive clean sheets before Uruguay surprised Buenos Aires, Scaloni’s team may take heart from their outstanding defensive efforts since winning the Middle East championship.
Team Updates
Brazil manager Diniz is facing a selection problem ahead of the most difficult test of his temporary command after being reduced to bare bones when Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Jr. sustained a thigh injury against Colombia.
The manager of Fluminense, who won the Copa Libertadores, will be hoping that Gabriel Jesus, a striker for Arsenal, returns to lead the line in the absence of Richarlison, Neymar, and Vinicius Jr. But it’s a long way off.
The only significant absence for Argentina is still Lisandro Martinez, a defender for Manchester United. But Scaloni may change things following a lackluster performance against Uruguay.
Nicolas Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez may be replaced by Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez and Benfica veteran Angel Di Maria in the starting lineup.
Possible starting lineup for Brazil:
(4-3-3): Bruno Guimaraes, Andre, Douglas Luiz; Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha; Emerson Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Renan Lodi; and Alisson.
Possible starting lineup for Argentina:
(4-3-3): Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez; Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nicolas Tagliafico.
Brazil 0-0 Argentina is what we say.
Notwithstanding the formidable offensive talent on both sides, a scoreless draw seems certain in this match, even if 0-0 may be the least preferred outcome in football.
Argentina and Brazil have only scored two goals in their past three meetings, both of which were scored by La Albiceleste. However, Scaloni’s crew could be frozen by Rio’s customarily unfriendly environment.
