Lionel Messi & Co. Could Finally End Argentina’s Disappointing Streak Against Brazil After First Loss In 14 Games

Argentina is gearing up for a crucial match against their arch-rivals Brazil. Fans are highly anticipating the showdown between South American giants. Lionel Messi and Co. will be traveling to Rio de Janeiro for the clash, which is set to take place at the Maracana. But what adds an extra layer of intrigue is Argentina’s elusive quest for victory against Brazil in the qualifiers. It is a feat that Argentina has failed to conquer since 2000!

As Argentina suffered their first setback against Uruguay since their successful World Cup campaign, they’ll be hoping to come back strong against Brazil. The match carries immense significance for both teams, particularly for Argentina.

Argentina’s unsettling record against Brazil

For the Argentines, visiting Brazil in the FIFA WC Qualifiers has been a treacherous path. Since, 1998, Argentina has crossed the border to play their rivals four times, only to face bitter defeat thrice and one stalemate. The haunting question now remains: Can Argentina overcome the historical jinx and clinch a victory against their formidable rivals? Fans will be hoping to see Lionel Messi and his teammates rewrite history and break this unfortunate streak.

This arduous journey of near misses for Argentina began in 2000. Under the tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentines suffered a 3-1 loss in Sao Paulo, which was their only defeat in that qualifying cycle. Four years later, in 2004, the Brazilians won again with the help of a stellar Ronaldo Nazario hat trick. The duo met again in 2008 in Belo Horizonte and played a goalless draw. Lionel Messi was part of the starting 11 in that match and remains the only player who is still in the current Albiceleste side.

As Brazil was the host country for the 2014 World Cup, they didn’t participate in the qualifiers. However, in 2016, the neighbors met again in Belo Horizonte, and it was an easy 3-0 win for Brazil. Neymar, Coutinho, and Paulinho scored for Brazil, leaving Argentina disappointed once again.

READ MORE: “Didn’t Pay So Much Attention to Lionel Messi” – Marcelo Bielsa’s Match-Winning Gameplan for Argentina vs. Uruguay WC Qualifiers Exposed

Fast forward to 2021, the pandemic threw an unexpected twist, and a scheduled match on Brazilian soil was abandoned after just five minutes. Now, the major question that lingers is: Can the fifth visit break the chain, or will it be another chapter in Brazil’s dominance? It’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top after this exhilarating clash.

Argentina’s hopes rest heavily on Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, remains a central figure in this quest for redemption for La Albiceleste. Messi’s leadership and undeniable talent will be crucial for Argentina’s chances of success. The reigning world champions will be hoping to witness Messi’s flair and magic to turn the tables against Brazil.

Lionel Messi has a bitter record against the Brazilians. In a total of 13 games against Brazil, the 8x-Ballon d’Or winner has won 5, drew 2 and faced defeat 6 times. He has scored a total of 5 goals against Brazil and will be hoping to extend his tally when they meet again.

The absence of Vinicius Jr. and Neymar Jr. provides a window of opportunity, and Argentina will be keen to capitalize on it. As the countdown to the clash ticks away, anticipation grips soccer enthusiasts. Will Lionel Messi inspire a historic triumph for Argentina, ending the prolonged drought against Brazil? Only time will tell. Let us know your thoughts about the upcoming match in the comments section below.

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