Argentina vs. Brazil: WCQ Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

On Tuesday, Argentina and Brazil will meet in Buenos Aires' Estadio Mas Monumental, and the winner will officially earn a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With 28 points, Lionel Scaloni's team is in first place, seven points ahead of third-place Selecao.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Even without Lionel Messi (injury), Argentina battled hard to get all three points in Friday's match against Uruguay, ensuring they will almost certainly participate in next year's World Cup.

While Argentina was winless on the road to World Cup qualification for three games, Thiago Almada—now on loan at Lyon from Botafogo—scored a breathtaking goal in the second half to give his team a slender 1-0 victory in Montevideo. Almada made it three for him on the international stage.

With 13 qualifiers, Argentina is three points atop the South American qualifying group. They've gone 9-1-1 with 22 goals scored and 7 goals allowed.

The 2022 World Cup champions will now devote their whole attention to Tuesday's tantalising match against their long-time rivals, Brazil. Brazil is aiming to extend its four-game winning streak in head-to-head matches (W3, D1).

Among their remarkable records is a 1-0 triumph in the November 2023 rematch qualifying match at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, thanks to a goal from Nicolas Otamendi.

La Albiceleste will feel confident after winning seven of their last eight World Cup qualifying games (L1) and keeping eleven clean sheets in their past twelve home qualifiers.

Despite a slow start to their qualifying campaign—one victory, one tie, and four losses—Brazil is well on its way to maintaining its perfect participation record in the World Cup finals.

Since then, the Selecao have become an even more formidable opponent, going undefeated in five qualifying matches and defeating Chile and Peru in consecutive international windows in October.

The team got back on track with a thrilling home match against Colombia on Thursday after drawing with Venezuela and Uruguay in November.

After Luis Diaz equalised Raphinha's early penalty, the five-time world champions appeared destined to play out three consecutive 1-1 draws. However, in the 99th minute, Vinicius Junior scored a long-range goal to salvage all three points, becoming Brazil's latest winner since Casemiro's effort against Colombia in the 2021 Copa America.

Brazil is currently in third place in the rankings with 21 points after 13 matches. They are eight points ahead of Bolivia in the inter-confederation playoff spot and will be travelling to Argentina in that position.

As they seek to win their first away qualifier since the 2019 Copa America semi-finals, the Selecao will lack confidence after winning only one of their previous five matches (D1, L3).

Argentina x Brazil Team News

Messi, Argentina's all-time leading scorer, was ruled out with an adductor injury he sustained in his last match for Inter Miami, leaving the team to adjust without its legendary forward.

Paulo Dybala of Roma and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan are injured for Argentina. At the same time, Nico Gonzalez will miss the rest of the season after receiving a straight red card in the victory against Uruguay.

To provide Rodrigo De Paul with some rest before his match against Brazil, he was not risked on the journey to Montevideo since he was not considered to be in peak physical condition.

Roma's Leandro Paredes will likely be benched if De Paul is deemed fit to start Tuesday's home match.

The guests were without goalkeeper Ederson and forward Neymar at the start of the international period because of injuries.

Gerson of Flamengo and Alisson Becker of Liverpool were both substituted during Thursday's victory against Colombia, and both players have since withdrawn from the team.

While Andre might replace Gerson in the centre of the pitch, Bento is expected to start for his third international match in Alisson's absence.

The suspension of Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes, who received their second yellow cards for qualifying in Thursday's home match, is expected to be replaced by midfielder Joelinton and defender Leo Ortiz.

Predictions 

Full-time draw @ 3.05 on Sky247.ng

Given Argentina's stellar home record, they'll be heavy favourites to win Tuesday's match. However, despite our confidence in Argentina, we believe Brazil will put up a strong enough fight to draw level with the hosts, especially considering they've managed to avoid defeat in their last five qualifiers.

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