Brazil and argentina soccer game

It was a dream. Scaloni had never been a head coach when he was appointed in but he has turned Argentina into a team that can look ahead to Qatar with optimism. Lionel Messi at last appears to be enjoying his international football after years of ups and downs in a blue and white shirt and the midfield, anchored by the increasingly influential Rodrigo De Paul, is settled and solid. Most noticeably, Scaloni has shored up a creaky defence, especially between the posts where Aston Villa's Emi Martinez is the most reliable goalkeeper they have had in years.

Tuesday night's draw against their arch rivals was their 27th match unbeaten, a run that dates back more than two years, and came just days after they beat another fierce rival Uruguay in Montevideo.

Without a doubt, the balance is positive. There was the Copa America heartbreak against Chile in penalty kicks, and a repeat of that nightmare a year later at MetLife Stadium. A poor World Cup and having no chance at the Copa America all led to this moment -- perhaps Messi's best chance to win an international trophy for the rest of his storied career. In earning the cup's best player award and being top scorer, the once-retired-from-international-duty superstar was the hero and the leader they needed throughout, with his magical free kicks, his leadership on the pitch and his well-timed passes opening up the space that they needed.

While Argentina have the big name, it's been years since they've had the game. While not many people gave them a legit chance to win it, Messi always believed. If he didn't, he would have actually quit the national team a long time ago and stopped coming back. And holding on to that little hope of winning a trophy paid off in the most unimaginable way, winning it at the Maracana against their most heated rival.

Through all the downs, on this night, for the first and perhaps only time, Messi is a champion with Argentina. What a moment from Di Maria. While he always seems to get injured in the biggest of Argentina's matches, even going down in this one, he earned legendary status on this night.

His fine finish wasn't just a fluke or a bit of luck though. Di Maria claimed that De Paul told him Lodi can fall asleep at the back, and that they could take advantage of it, and that is what they did. In what was a goal most can only dream about, let alone in a final, Di Maria pulled off one of the most memorable moments in the storied history of the Argentina national team.

As for De Paul I'm sure Lodi is going to love hearing that he thinks he can be exposed. De Paul is expected to join Lodi at Atletico Madrid this summer. Lionel Messi also sounded irritated. Brazil called up nine Premier League players for the World Cup qualifiers in September but none of them traveled to South America because of the restrictions. I would like people in Argentina to understand that as a coach I have to take care of my players.

Both national soccer associations issued statements to criticize the move by Brazil's health agency. Brazil players stayed on the field after Argentina left, and started doing training exercises. Argentinians, including those considered to be a Covid risk, stayed for more than three hours in their dressing room until they left for the airport.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Brazil coach Tite seemed to be the most upset. They had to do it at the time of the match!

Lionel Messi also sounded irritated. Brazil called up nine Premier League players for the World Cup qualifiers in September but none of them traveled to South America because of the restrictions. I would like people in Argentina to understand that as a coach I have to take care of my players.