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| Messi celebrates after victory Photo: AFP |
Argentina came back without playing the last time they played in Brazil two years ago. Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) officials entered the field minutes after the start of the match in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They did not allow the match to be played against the four players of Argentina for violating the quarantine rules. For a different reason, the match of Super Clasico against Argentina was again held in Brazil today. But this time the Maracana match was pushed to the brink by the gallery riots.
A few minutes before the start of the match, the heat started in the gallery. In the live report of this match, the British media Guardian quoted the commentary of the Brazilian media Globo as saying, "During the national anthem of Argentina, trouble started when the Brazilian fans cheered." Argentina team including Lionel Messi and Marquinhos went and tried to control the situation. However, it was of no avail. At one stage, Messi left the field with his teammates. After the situation calmed down a bit, the match started about half an hour after the scheduled time. Which was finally settled in Argentina's 1-0 victory. Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal in the victory for the world champions.
However, an indication of what could happen in the game is available only after the two teams take to the field. The players of the two teams got involved in a verbal fight as they entered the field. It started with Rodrigo and Messi. After a while others also got involved. Even after the start of the game, its intensity has not decreased a bit. The players seem to have forgotten that the match is about goals and must be won by scoring goals.
Fouls and cards were rife from the start. Fouls and cards show that as Brazil was ahead, Brazil also dominated the ball on the field. Rodrigo-Jesus created some sudden threats in the midfield and attacking third with short passes and dribbling. However, Argentina's defense could not overcome them. On the other hand, in the event before the start of the match, the world champion Argentina's game in the first half did not have the impression of a plan. However, the "Albiceleste" had to eat quite hard to deal with the foul.
Rafinha scored a stunning solo effort two minutes into the match. But the referee had to stop when he raised the offside flag. Jesus got the ball from the 'rebound' in the 6th minute of the match. Rodrigo tries to dribble Di Paul forward, but his hand goes to Di Paul's face. Result Jesus saw the first yellow card of the match. In this incident, the heat spread again between the two groups. Despite this, however, Brazil tried to attack and create opportunities. However, in the 13th minute, Rafinia saw a second yellow card for fouling Di Paul. Brazil committed 8 fouls in the first 18 minutes.
In the first 25 minutes of this controversial match, at least 10 players were seen falling on the field. In the 26th minute of the match, Messi was seen attacking the ball with his feet for the first time. However, the Inter Miami star could not create any chance of goal in that attack. After that, they attacked a few more times, but there was no goal. In the 33rd minute, Gabriel Martinelli headed in from Alison Baker's trademark pass. Greatly dribbled Nahuel Molina and Di Paul but could not keep control close to the box.
In the 37th minute, Brazil received a free kick near the box. Emiliano Martinez blocked Rafinha's shot for a corner. Towards the end of the first half, Rodrigo-Jesus created quite a threat near the Argentina box. In the 44th minute, Martinelli's shot went past Martinez but was cleared by an Argentine defender from near the goal line. Both teams committed 22 fouls in the first half. Whereas Brazil had 6 fouls against 16 fouls.
Brazil maintained their position in Argentina's half in the second half as well. They also tried to create opportunities by attacking several times. Although they could not break the defense wall. In the 58th minute of the match, Brazil would have got the first goal of the match if Martinelli's attempt was not blocked by Martinez. However, Argentina took the lead in the 63rd minute of the match.
Nicolas Otamendi headed in Lo Celso's corner. After the goal, Argentina was in control of the match. In the 78th minute, Argentina brought down Angel Di Maria after picking up the ineffective Messi. Brazil's danger increased in the 81st minute when Jaylington left the field after seeing a red card. 10-man Brazil tried in the end but could not get back into the match. Brazil left the field with a third consecutive defeat in the qualifying round. On this day, Brazil was ahead in fouls even though they were behind in goals. Brazil committed 26 fouls against Argentina's 16.
Argentina tops the points table in the South American region with 15 points in 6 matches. Brazil is sixth in the table with 7 points in 6 matches. In the other match, Uruguay won 3-0 against Bolivia thanks to a brace from Darwin Nunez. Colombia beat Paraguay 1-0. Chile lost 1-0 to Ecuador. Uruguay is second in the table with 13 points in 6 matches. Colombia is third with 12 points in the match. Ecuador is fifth with 8 points in 6 matches.
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