Brazil vs Argentina

The famous Maracana forms the backdrop for the highly-anticipated Superclasico de las Americas between Brazil and Argentina.

Despite taking an early lead, injury-hit Brazil slumped to a 2-1 away defeat to Colombia last time out, going winless in a third consecutive World Cup qualifier for the first time since 2004 (D1, L2). Having already fallen five points adrift of table-topping Argentina, the ‘Selecao’ could be at risk of sliding outside automatic qualification spots should they fail to stem the bleeding. However, it could prove easier said than done as they’ve drawn a blank in their last three matches against Argentina (D1, L2). That said, the five-time world champions haven’t lost any of the four World Cup qualifying H2Hs they’ve hosted in the 21st century (W3, D1), notably scoring precisely three goals in each victory.

Meanwhile, Argentina seemed on their way to establishing another dominant World Cup qualifying campaign after winning their first four qualifiers by an aggregate score of 7-0. However, conceding on either side of halftime condemned ‘La Albiceleste’ to a 2-0 home defeat to Uruguay last time out, knocking them down from a flawless eight-game run (W8) since winning the Qatar World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s men kept a clean sheet each time during that eight-match stretch. Interestingly, Uruguay’s unexpected shutout in Buenos Aires marked Argentina’s first scoring blank in international action since a goalless draw against none other than Brazil in November 2021. On the upside, they’re unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup away qualifiers (W8, D4).