Can Argentina secure a World Cup spot by defeating Brazil?

Argentina will secure a spot in the World Cup with a victory over Brazil. Even a draw will be enough for the Albiceleste to advance to the tournament’s main round. The defending World Cup champions will play this crucial match at home, giving them an edge over their arch-rivals. The match is set to take place tomorrow at 6 AM Bangladesh time at the Monumental Stadium in Argentina.

However, when facing a historic rival like Brazil, the battle extends beyond football—it becomes a test of nerves and supremacy. Despite Argentina’s strong position, head coach Lionel Scaloni remains cautious and respectful of Brazil, stating, “Brazil is Brazil. They have great players, some of the best in the world. I know they will be a tough opponent, and we respect them. We have analyzed their game, and we know the match will be challenging.” 

Brazil, however, is not in peak form. Though they secured a last-minute 2-1 win against Colombia in their previous match, Dorival Júnior’s team has managed only two wins in their last five games. On the other hand, Argentina is in excellent shape, leading the Latin American qualification table with 25 points from 12 matches, including eight wins, one draw, and three losses. They also have a strong home record, winning five of their last six matches.

Argentina will be without their talisman, Lionel Messi, due to injury, along with Paulo Dybala, Alejandro Garnacho, Gonzalo Montiel, and Lo Celso. However, they proved their strength even in Messi’s absence by defeating Uruguay 1-0 in their last qualifier. With this confidence, Argentina aims for another victory against Brazil. As Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia stated, “Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup in front of our home fans against Brazil. Hopefully, we can achieve that.”

Brazil is also dealing with injury setbacks. Like Messi, Neymar will miss the match due to injury, and goalkeeper Alisson Becker has also been ruled out. However, in a fixture as intense as Argentina vs. Brazil, player absences take a backseat to the pride and honor of wearing the national jersey. Brazilian defender Marquinhos emphasized this, saying, “A Brazil-Argentina match is never just another game. It is not just a friendly or a qualifier; it always feels like a tournament final. For us, it’s a historic rivalry, and we will step onto the field with full passion and determination.”