Brazil 3-0 Argentina
Well, that’s it. Coach Tite and Brazil make it five straight wins and Argentina continue dwelling in their own downfall. There was nothing about this match that should suggest they can do anything against Colombia next week, even if they are at home.
The entire Brazilian squad - energized and inspired by Carlos Alberto as he looked down from heaven - delivered a performance that would make the legends of the 70’s extremely proud.
Before this match, the last time Brazil played in Belo Horizonte, Germany had embarrassed them 7-1 at the World Cup in 2014. Now, they have a new memory.
Edgardo Bauza, meanwhile, has a lot to think about. Was Higuaín really the best choice to start? Where is the relentless pressure or the grit and desire we are so accustomed to seeing when we watch Albiceleste?
Answers better come fast because a hungry Colombia is coming to town.
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll see you next time.
End of match
90 min+2: That’s it. Brazil win convincingly. A masterful victory.
Updated
89 min: A great ball wide to Neymar, who finds Costa, but Argentina just about clear it from the box. Messi, who hasn’t touched the ball in a while, can only admire at his Barca teammate and the way he leads the Selecao. Neymar really is a sight to behold when he leads his nation. Messi finally gets the ball and dribbles towards the box but deflects wide.
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84 min: Firmino hits the post after a great cross....Coutinho comes out for Douglas Costa - a great performance from the Liverpool man. Firmino again enters the box but Otamendi just about clears it. This is truly shambolic by Argentina and ironically enough, they could really benefit from another Argentinian manager who instills a lot of grit and energy...Ricardo Gareca. But he’s busy managing Peru.
81 min: Firmino replaces Gabriel Jesus. Manchester City fans are going to be spoiled with the things he does, a great No 9....and he’s only 19.
79 min: Wow, Neymar close to making 4-0 as he breaks through the center and into the box but his second touch is too heavy and the ball goes out. Brazil chanting Ole now, and it’s going to be a long flight back to Buenos Aires.
75 min: There are shades of the old Brazil here, with lovely one-touch football. I actually can’t remember the last time Messi touched the ball or even made a significant contribution. Albiceleste look to penetrate Brazil’s box but a stout defense takes it right back.
Updated
69 min: Aguero gets fouled just outside the box but nothing materializes. There are 20 minutes left and there is nothing about this match that says Argentina will get a goal, let alone come back. Brazil look composed and really loving their football. Di Maria looks exhausted and needs to be subbed.
65 min: Neymar and Brazil are just having too much fun right now and Higuaín doesn’t like it as he fouls the Barca man. Argentina are losing the match and their heads on the process. Brazil in complete domination.
In other news, Peru is currently beating Paraguay 4-1 in Asunción. First away win since 2004. I might explode after I’m done here....just warning you.
Updated
Goal! Brazil 3-0 Argentina (Paulinho 59)
59 min: Well, this time around, Paulinho doesn’t miss and makes it game over as he capitalizes on a cross from the right hand side. This is huge. Argentina are losing 3-0, currently out of the top 5...next match is gigantic.
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57 min: Wow, this game should be over. Gabriel Jesus once again finds Paulinho who rounds the keeper...all he needs to do is score and its over but Zabaleta saves it on the line! Neymar gets fouled by Funes Mori. Freekick to Brazil, a great attempt by Dani Alves but its saved by Romero.
53 min: Neymar fouls Funes Mori and once again, Tite has to warn his players to calm down. Brazil have taken on the high-press approach, knowing that Argentina is rattled. Messi finds Aguero but it’s offside. This is Bauza’s biggest issue...not being able to figure out how to encourage rapid movement inside the box.
49 min: Brazil start the second the same way they ended the first, with relentless counterattacking. Aguero, who replaced Perez, draws a yellow card as Marcelo can’t stop him on the right hand side. Another Messi-taken free-kick, this time a good ball in, but can’t be met by anyone.
45 min: Peep! And we’re back!
Half-time
Well, it’s clearly cruise control for Brazil right now as Argentina are getting rocked by the counter. It’s all going badly for Bauza’s team. I’m sure Aguero will come in the second half straight away.
Goal! Brazil 2-0 Argentina (Neymar 45)
45 min: What a great pass by Gabriel Jesus, who cuts through the Argentinian defense and feeds Neymar who calmly puts it in corner. Wow.
42 min: What a great cross by Más from the left hand side, and it just can’t be met by Higuaín who was too slow to react. Argentina are finishing this half strongly with all the action in Brazil’s half...they just can’t find the back of the net.
Thanks, John. Ha ha! You know what? At times you would think that is the case but it’s due to the fact that Alves and Marcelo push so high up when in possession.
I agree with you - a special goal.
Question.
Is my TV playing tricks on me or are Brazil playing a 2-4-1-3?
John Fearon via email
Updated
37 min: Another free-kick for Argentina as Messi gets fouled outside the box. This is an almost perfect angle for la Pulga but he drives it against the wall. If it carries on like this, it won’t be long until we see Aguero. On the counter, Neymar takes it all the way into the box from the right hand side, but instead of delivering a low cross, he shoots it himself and hits the post.
33 min: As Argentina decide to press, Brazil stick to the same plan by sitting until opposition enter their half. Perez drives towards the box and shoots from just outside but it goes wide. Higuaín struggling to stay onside - a problem when you play lone striker.
29 min: That goal certainly shook Argentina, who up to that point, were clearly the better team in terms of possession. Bauza has now instructed his team to press higher up the field as plan A has disintegrated.
Updated
Goal! Brazil 1-0 Argentina (Coutinho 25)
25 min: What a goal by Coutinho! The Liverpool man cuts in from the left hand side and drives towards the box and curls it past the keeper. This boy is on fire!
Updated
24 min: The first real chance by Argentina falls to Biglia with a great shot from outside of the box and it took a great save from Alisson to stop it! Messi worked so well on the right hand side to find the Lazio man and he took a powerful shot that was well met by the keeper. The best chance of the match.
20 min: The crowd chant every time Neymar touches the ball but aside from that nothing much in terms of real chances. An extremely nervy first 20 minutes from both sides.
Updated
Thank you for the email, Julian. Of course, no problem.
Hey... I live in a country (China) where Twitter is banned. Any chance line ups can be written instead of linked to? Many thanks, Julian
Brazil - Alisson, Alves, Miranda, Marqui, Marcelo, Paulinho, Fernandinho, Renato; Coutinho, Jesus, Neymar.
Argentina - Romero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mori, Más, Pérez, Biglia, Mascherano, Di María; Messi, Higuaín.
16 min: Coutinho is playing extremely wide right now, with Gabriel Jesus playing as the lone striker. This is where the Liverpool man can usually show signs of fading for Brazil as he is best suited to play directly behind the striker in an almost-free role. Still nothing in terms of a real chance.
12 min: Neymar beginning to show some trickery but can’t pass Mascherano who basically falls to the ground to try and stop the Brazilian’s dribbling. Albiceleste dominating in possession now, looking to stay in the final third and actually looking to press slightly higher, hoping to push Brazil back to their own box. Di Maria hasn’t even touched the ball, until now...all the action has been on the right hand side.
8 min: Tite has instructed his team to not press until the opposition enter their half, then counter. Fernandinho gets a yellow as he elbows Messi, who had embarrassed him with a nice ball above his head. Things calm down after that and Argentina push more - better from Bauza’s men. Brazil need to be careful with being over physical.
4 min: Brazil begin the first few minutes with quick possession and Argentina hold, taking on their defensive shape, waiting to counter. It’s clear Higuaín will spearhead the frontline with Messi playing right behind him, free to move from left to right. Messi gets fouled about 35 yards outside of the box and takes a free-kick which goes nowhere.
Kick-off
1 min: Peep! And we’re off! Argentina kick-off.
The squads walk out to the stadium and the atmosphere is electric as the FIFA anthem plays in the background. Dani Alves, by the way, wearing the No 4 shirt, in honor of the legendary Carlos Alberto, who passed away last month.
Now the anthems are playing and first it’s Argentina followed by Brazil, which is obviously met with thunderous chants.
I don’t think I have ever seen Neymar or Messi so focused.
There’s a moment of silence for Carlos Alberto.
Next time you hear from me will be kick-off.
Updated
The stage is set and players are inside the tunnel ready to come out. It’s a beautiful albeit humid night in Belo Horizonte. Don’t forget you can email me or send me a tweet @lmechegaray.
One match, too many legends.
Brazil vs Argentina tonight! 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/KRIS17YXaX
— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) November 10, 2016
We are fifteen minutes away from kick-off. Some results from earlier:
Colombia 0-0 Chile
Uruguay is currently leading against Ecuador 1-0 and Paraguay and Peru have just started. Bolivia faces Venezuela at 7pm ET.
Preamble
Hello everyone and welcome to the Superclásico of South America as Brazil host Argentina in a crucial World Cup qualifier. For theses Conmebol nations, the road to Russia 2018 has been nothing short of thrilling as only six points separate the top seven teams in the table.
Brazil, thanks to Tite, are loving life right now as the 55-year-old manager has introduced a calmer, happier Selecao, free to express individual talent as well as cohesive teamwork. The result? Four consecutive victories and top of the table.
Argentina on the other hand are heading in the wrong direction and things need to change quickly. Edgardo Bauza has not started well and things went from bad to worse when Conmebol allotted three points to Chile and Peru as a result of Bolivia’s use of an ineligible player when they played against them. Consequently, Chile leap-frogged Argentina and currently hold the final qualifying spot.
The pressure is on Argentina to get something out of this match as they really can’t afford to drop any more points. Brazil, meanwhile, hope this ride keeps on going.
Here is Argentina’s line-up:
#Eliminatorias ¡Confirmado por Edgardo Bauza! Así saldrá @Argentina ante @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/0jJM8s6UJY
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) November 9, 2016
And Brazil’s team is here:
Confira a escalação da #SeleçãoBrasileira para duelo contra a Argentina! #FechadoComASeleção pic.twitter.com/V7bxTbTQCe
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) November 10, 2016
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