One of the greatest rivalries on the international stage is set to take place once again in the Copa América semi-final, as hosts Brazil (FIFA rank: #3) welcome bitter rivals Argentina (#11) for a chance to face either Chile or Peru in the final. Brazil leads the all-time series with a return of W42, D24, L38, including four of the last five encounters (W3, D1, L1).
After going out in the quarter-finals via a penalty defeat to Paraguay in two of the last three editions, Brazil managed to overcome the hoodoo on the third attempt after a goalless 120 minutes. That goalless match means Brazil have not conceded a single goal in any match in 623 minutes of play (W5, D1).
Brazil coach Tite won his most recent encounter against Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina (1-0) in the only prior clash of the managers. Moreover, all three of Tite’s managerial H2Hs with Argentina saw just one team score (W2, L1).
Despite the fact that Argentina has lost just one of their last six matches (W4, D1, L1), they have left much to be desired in recent encounters against top-ten ranked nations. ‘La Albiceleste’ have lost each of their last four such matches and are winless in five (D1, L4), since a 1-0 victory over none other than Brazil in June 2016.
Players to watch: Brazil forward Everton battles for the top-scorer accolade with Phillipe Coutinho (two goals apiece); three of the four goals between them have come after half-time.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez has opened the scoring within the first ten minutes in each of his last two matches.
Stat attack: Brazil has lifted the trophy in all five South American Championships/CA’s that they have hosted.
Argentina average 2.0 bookings per match across the last six H2Hs.
Seven of Argentina’s last eight victories in all competitions have come by more than a single-goal margin.
Match Information
Referee: Zambrano R. (Ecu),
Venue: Mineirão (Belo Horizonte)
You must be logged in to post a comment.