Brazil and Argentina, two South American football powerhouses, are set to clash in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier, both aiming to rebound from unexpected defeats in their last outings.
Match Preview:
Brazil, currently placed fifth in their qualification group, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Colombia in their previous match, while Argentina, leading the table, surprisingly lost 2-0 to Uruguay. Brazil, with two wins, one draw, and two defeats, sits five points behind leaders Argentina.
Fernando Diniz’s side started their qualification campaign strongly but faced recent setbacks against Uruguay and Colombia.
With the finals in sight, Brazil needs to regain momentum and points, as a loss could potentially push them out of the top six, a situation unusual for the five-time World Cup winners.
Argentina, reigning world champions after their 2022 World Cup victory, started their qualification campaign impressively but faced a recent defeat to Uruguay.
Despite the setback, they continue to lead the group and remain favorites to secure a World Cup spot.
Recent encounters between the two sides have been closely contested, with Argentina winning two and drawing one of their last three matches against Brazil, including a significant 1-0 victory in the Copa America final in July 2021.
Recent Form:
Brazil:
- LWWDL (Last six matches across all competitions)
- WWDLWL (World Cup Qualifying – South America)
Argentina:
- WWWLW (Last six matches across all competitions)
- WWWLW (World Cup Qualifying – South America)
Team News:
Brazil faces the absence of several key players due to injuries, including Vinicius Junior, Neymar, and Richarlison.
Manager Diniz might make changes in the lineup, potentially introducing Joao Pedro or Gabriel Jesus in the absence of Vinicius Junior. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Endrick could feature again in the attack.
Argentina, despite their recent loss, might stick to a similar lineup, potentially bringing in Lautaro Martinez to bolster the attack, likely pushing Nicolas Gonzalez to the bench. The rest of the team is expected to remain unchanged.
Possible Lineups:
Brazil:(4-3-3)
Alisson;
Emerson, Marquinhos, Magalhaes, Lodi;
Guimaraes, Andre, Luiz;
Rodrygo, Martinelli, Raphinha
Argentina:(4-3-3)
E Martinez;
Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico;
De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez;
Messi, L Martinez, Alvarez
Prediction: Brazil 1-1 Argentina
Both sides aim to recover from their recent defeats, but a cautious approach might dominate the game, resulting in a potentially tight and cagey encounter.
While Brazil’s recent form raises concerns, the match could likely end in a draw as both teams avoid the risk of further setbacks.
