Argentina beat ten man Brazil in tense South American qualifier

Nicolas Otamendi’s effective header within the second half gave Argentina a 1-0 win over archrivals Brazil within the South American World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night. The kick off was delayed on the Maracana by over half an hour after the Brazilian authorities baton-ed a piece of Argentina followers. The guests stormed out of the pitch led by captain Lionel Messi as play resumed solely after calmness had ensured.

Neither facet may garner any type of momentum within the first half with persistent fouling by the Brazilian gamers. The hosts did come near opening the rating however had been denied by Cristiano Romero late within the first half because the Tottenham Hotspur defender stored out Gabriel Martinelli’s shot off the road.

It was a a lot better watch within the second half as each side appeared to grab the initiative. After Emiliano Martinez stored out Martinelli one-on-one, Otamendi scored a shocking header within the 63^rd minute from Giovani Lo Celso’s nook. Brazil had been then lowered to 10 males within the 81^st minutes as Argentina as soon as once more grabbed the victory in entrance of the packed Maracana. The outcome means the World Champions are again on the prime of the qualification desk with 15 factors from 6 video games whereas Brazil dropped to sixth, out of computerized qualification.

Because it occurred

You possibly can comply with alongside right here for stay updates as Brazil hosts Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Each side enter this recreation after losses in matchday 5. Argentina misplaced at house to Uruguay, 2-0. It was Argentina’s first loss since dropping to Saudi Arabia within the first recreation on the 2022 World Cup. Furthermore, it was the primary time Argentina conceded because the 2022 World Cup Last in opposition to France.

For Brazil, that is virtually a must-win recreation regardless of being on the one-third mark in qualifying. After selecting up one level from its final three video games, Brazil slumped to fifth within the qualifying desk. Its most recent loss was against Colombia in a recreation that Brazil took the lead simply 5 minutes in.

This recreation is out there for audiences in america on each TV and streaming. Protection is on Telemundo, and followers can stream the sport on three totally different providers in ViX, Fubo and DirecTV Stream.

Stay: Brazil and Argentina search for bounce-back outcomes

Any time these two sides meet, fireworks transpire. Sadly, they solely met one time throughout qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. In a frankly weird incident, health officials in Brazil ran out on the field as the sport in opposition to Argentina began. Referees suspended the sport. Nevertheless, with each nations by means of, the game never happened.

This time round, Brazil wants this recreation to go on as deliberate. After two wins to open its qualifying account, Brazil has struggled mightily in its final three video games. Losses on the street in opposition to Uruguay and Colombia adopted a draw at home to Venezuela. All through these video games, Brazil has battled key accidents. Neymar may miss the 2024 Copa America and all video games beforehand with a torn ACL from the Uruguay recreation. Casemiro stays sidelined, which has led to objectives pouring in. Gabriel Jesus and Vinicius are additionally battling accidents. They won’t be current for the sport in opposition to Argentina.

The defending World Cup champions haven’t had those self same harm issues. Previous to the loss at La Bombonera in opposition to Uruguay, Argentina was cruising by means of qualifying. 4 wins from its first 4 video games led to no objectives in opposition to. On the identical time, Argentina comfortably defeated its opposition. A win at Brazil wouldn’t solely reaffirm its spot on the prime of the desk. It might deal a blow to its largest rivals, probably sinking them right into a spot that will not robotically qualify.

Pictures: Imago