Argentina and Brazil tied for the Bicentennial of San Juan

The atmosphere in San Juan was hot despite the cold and the approximate 10 degrees of temperature. People filled the Bicentennial of San Juan, more than 25 thousand people in the stadium, shouts of support at all times and fireworks during the anthem. The final party came an hour later, when Ecuador won in Chile and thus the pass from Argentina to Qatar 2022 was certified.

Argentina started with everything, pressing the departure of Marquinhos, Militao and Fabinho, something similar to what Uruguay did the other day. Messi was plugged in and asked for all of them while Paredes was finally the starter.

The game was played on the side of Brazil and De Paul commanded Scaloni’s team with his strength and desire. Lautaro was uncomfortable and Lo Celso moved between the lines. Against Brazil it was dangerous and a good play by Raphinha at the exit of the corner almost ended in a good attack by Brazil.

Vinicius had the best of the first half so far. The Madrid player received a filtered pass after an error by Otamendi and Romero forced by Cunha but could not define, Emi Martínez was saved who did not have to act. Cunha was also trying to surprise the Aston Villa goalkeeper from midfield, but the shot went a bit high.

Argentina dominated and Brazil waited, as expected. Messi, for his part, was active but he was not feeling fine in some movements, he had to gain confidence. Brazil with the passing of the minutes felt more comfortable and played with the desperation of the albiceleste. Tite’s 4-4-2 on defense was difficult to pass.

Scaloni’s team lost balls due to pressure from the rival but also nervousness. Otamendi lifted Raphinha off the ground and Vinicius faced every albiceleste player who passed by. With that, people lit up and the game took on more epic tints. The VAR warned but there was nothing and Otamendi was still on the court, despite the fact that the images were clear: it was red and expulsion.

The one who did have to intervene was Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper dived down to block a powerful shot from De Paul, who was looking for the lower left corner. People were with everything and shouted “Brazil is afraid …” at the Bicentennial. Messi was not physically well and rested crouched, as always, but when he caught the ball, he was the most dangerous.

The referee added two and the match was all for Argentina, who wanted the goal. Alisson knew it and cooled the game at a time when Brazil needed calm. Argentina went with everything, Di María threw a pipe Riquelme style and wanted more. We went to the changing rooms with a scoreless draw but with the feeling that the goal was not that far away.

Argentina returned to the court with two changes: Licha Martínez for Paredes and Joaquín Correa for Lautaro. But the setbacks came quickly because Cuti Romero complained at the beginning of the second half and Pezzella began to warm up for a possible change that came minutes later and the Tottenham central defender retired cheered.

Those of Scaloni, with gusts of wanting and wanting, came close to Alisson’s arch. Correa was shooting late and the corners were dangerous. Brazil waited, sheltered and Vinicius was the danger, throwing another pipe and driving the defenders crazy.

The protagonist was Cunha the referee, for both sides. The Uruguayan missed the game and Lo Celso fell in the area, for some penalties and for others not. For the Uruguayan, no. People were going crazy while Alisson made life difficult. Antony Silva also created danger and the Brazilians were dangerous with spaces. Vinicius faced anddra Martínez saved his team.

The game became stick and stick. Molina was an arrow to the right and Messi had a rebound to nail in an angle, but Alisson returned to save Brazil while Fabinho lowered him from behind to De Paul and received yellow. The game was beautiful and Julián Álvarez entered for Di María.

The game had a frenetic pace and Argentina tried to take advantage of this, but Brazil were a solid team and knew when to accelerate and when to brake. De Paul endured the entire midfield by himself and Argentina breathed at the feet of Atlético de Madrid.

The albiceleste deflated and Brazil grew with the entry of Gabriel Jesús. But there was Messi and with Messi anything could still happen. The captain hit the middle and Alisson drowned out the goal cry from all of San Juan. Four minutes to go and Brazil had been a long time ago. Cunha said that there was no time for more and that was the end of the meeting. Messi and Argentina wanted, Brazil didn’t.