Brazil faces a critical encounter: The Superclasico against Argentina will decide their World Cup chances
In the upcoming 2026 World Cup South America qualifying encounter with Argentina, there is far more at stake for Brazil than just national prestige. With a defeat, the Selecao not only threatens to lose their World Cup ticket, but also a historic debacle at the Maracana. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, has the chance to inflict Brazil’s first home defeat in a World Cup qualifying match. A game with high expectations and enormous consequences lies ahead. But Brazil’s national soccer team has to do without attacker Vinicius Junior and superstar Neymar in the duel with world champions Argentina. The injured goalkeeper Ederson, defender Danilo, midfielder and captain Casemiro are also missing. The games run on Tuesday evenings and nights German time.
/ AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
- World Cup qualification: Brazil vs. Argentina
- Risk of losing the World Cup ticket for Brazil
- Potential historical debacle at the Maracana
- Argentina’s chance of Brazil’s first home defeat
- Messi as a key figure
- Importance for both teams
- Next World Cup matchday not until September 2024
Crisis management in Brazil with many injured
The Brazilian national team, plagued by defeats (including on matchday 5 against Colombia) and defensive weaknesses, is faced with an unprecedented challenge. Without injured stars Neymar and Vinicius Junior and with many new, unknown faces in the team, Brazil is under enormous pressure. The historic defeat against Colombia (1:2) and the subsequent danger of being behind Venezuela after five match days illustrate the crisis situation.
World Cup qualification table in South America
As of: November 16th, 2023 on matchday 5
| Platz | Country with flag | games | S | U | V | Tore | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7:2 | 5 | 12 |
| 2 | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10:5 | 5 | 10 |
| 3 | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5:3 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | 🇻🇪 Venezuela | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5:2 | 3 | 8 |
| 5 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8:6 | 2 | 7 |
| 6 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4:3 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1:2 | -1 | 5 |
| 8 | 🇨🇱 Chile | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3:6 | -3 | 5 |
| 9 | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4:11 | -7 | 3 |
| 10 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0:7 | -7 | 1 |
World Cup qualification schedule 6th matchday in South America
| Datum | Team 1 | Team 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.11.2023 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 🇨🇴 Colombia | -:- |
| 22.11.2023 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 🇨🇱 Chile | -:- |
| 22.11.2023 | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | -:- |
| 22.11.2023 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇦🇷 Argentina | -:- |
| 22.11.2023 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 🇻🇪 Venezuela | -:- |
Argentina’s chance to dominate
World champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, have the opportunity to make history at the legendary Maracana Stadium despite a recent defeat against Uruguay (0-2). With a win they could inflict Brazil’s first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier. For Messi, who already triumphed against Brazil in the Copa America final, this is another opportunity to crown his extraordinary career.
The pressure on both teams
For both teams, this Superclasico is more than just a football game. It’s about national reputation, World Cup qualification and the continuation of long-standing rivalries. The results of this game will significantly influence not only the table positions but also the confidence and direction of both teams for the upcoming tournaments.
2023-11-20 10:46:08
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