Clinching a berth to the World Cup is an achievement in itself for most countries. But if you’re Argentina and you can do it against your archrival Brazil, it makes the occasion extra special.
That’s what the Albiceleste have in front of them when they host an undefeated Brazilian side that has won 11 of 12 matches and tied the other. Brazil leads the South American World Cup qualifying standings (34 points) and has already clinched a spot to the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Undefeated Argentina (8-0-4) can potentially do the same if it can hand Brazil its first loss and other results on Matchday 14 go its way:
- Colombia does not win vs. Paraguay
- OR Uruguay and Chile do not win their respective matches
Argentina was the last team to beat Brazil at the final of the 2021 Copa America in July, allowing captain and superstar Lionel Messi to win his first trophy with the senior team. The teams then took the field in September for what was supposed to be their first qualifying showdown, but Brazilian health officials and federal police stopped the match after five minutes citing COVID-19 quarantine protocols as the match was suspended in scandal.
MORE: South American qualifying standings & schedule
Word is expected any day now as to how that match suspension will be resolved. But Argentina knows if it can beat Brazil, it can move to within three points in the standings. And while there’s no prize for finishing first in the qualifying table, it’s about bragging rights and a nice bump in the FIFA world rankings.
It's confirmed that Messi will be playing in the match, as Argentina seeks to extend its 26-game unbeaten streak across all matches. (The last team to beat the Albiceleste was Brazil in the semifinals of the 2019 Copa America.) Both teams are coming off narrow 1-0 qualifying victories last week, but Brazil will be without superstar Neymar, who picked up a thigh injury which will force him to miss the head-to-head battle with his PSG teammate Messi.
How to watch Argentina vs. Brazil in Canada
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 16
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: —
- Streaming: —
Sporting News will have a live blog of the event with updates and highlights as they're available.
Argentina will be hosting the match at the Estadio del Bicentenario in San Juan, where it has won all six matches it has played there. A crowd of 25,000 is expected.
MORE: Neymar ruled out of qualifier vs. Argentina
Argentina vs. Brazil: Lineups
With head coach Lionel Scaloni confirming that Messi will be playing, the only real question is whether Messi’s PSG teammate Leandro Paredes could also make his return from injury as a starter or off the bench for center mid Guido Rodriguez. Argentine media is also speculating that Gonzalo Montiel could slot in at right back for Nahuel Molina.
Sevilla midfielder Papu Gomez is out after picking up a knee injury in his cameo appearance against Uruguay.
Argentina projected lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Emiliano Martinez-GK — Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Gonzalo Montiel — Giovani Lo Celso, Guido Rodriguez, Rodrigo De Paul — Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria
Argentina projected subs (11): Franco Armani-GK, Juan Musso-GK, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Exequiel Palacios, Paulo Dybala, Julian Alvarez, Joaquin Correa, Angel Correa
Philippe Coutinho or Vinicius Jr. are the candidates to replace the injured Neymar in the lineup, according to Brazilian outlets. Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is suspended with Liverpool’s Fabinho projected to take his place.
Brazil projected lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Alisson-GK — Alex Sandro, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Danilo — Fred, Fabinho — Vinicius Junior, Lucas Paqueta, Raphinha — Matheus Cunha
Brazil projected subs (10): Ederson-GK, Gabriel Chapeco-GK, Thiago Silva, Emerson Royal, Gabriel, Renan Lodi, Edenilson, Philippe Coutinho, Antony, Gabriel Jesus
Argentina vs. Brazil: Betting odds & prediction
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
These are the two best defensive teams in South America by a wide margin, and it’s little surprise given that each team has a real identity and solid organizational structure under its respective head coach. For example, this Brazil team heading into San Juan will not be interested in possessing the ball and it will keep Argentina in front of it, looking to take advantage of turnovers.
Argentina also showed a bend-but-not-break ability against Uruguay in a 1-0 win on Friday. Goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez has been in inspired form for his national team, and it doesn’t hurt that his team has enjoyed strokes of good fortune in moments when he hasn't been able to save the day.
MORE: Could Cristiano Ronaldo miss the World Cup?
The Asian total of two goals in the match will refund your bet if the match falls on that number. And if it does, it’s probably because both teams scored a single goal, and not that one of them allowed two. Of the 24 combined qualifiers played by the two sides thus far, the opposition has scored two goals on a mere two occasions. This should be a low-scoring affair.
Pick: Under 2 Asian Total goals (-147)
Prediction: Argentina 0, Brazil 0
- Moneyline: Argentina +134 / Draw +184 / Brazil +230
- Spread (Asian Handicap): Argentina -0.5 (+132) / Brazil +0.5 (-175)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over +183 / Under -253
- Both teams to score: Yes +119 / No -189