Argentina will look to celebrate their qualification for next summer’s World Cup by seeing off arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires tonight.
Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay earlier this evening means Lionel Scaloni’s men have advanced to the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico but beating Brazil will make the achievement even sweeter amid a carnival atmosphere at El Monumental.
Brazil have been vocal in the build-up with Barcelona playmaker Raphinha stoking the fires by telling Romario in an interview: “We will beat them, no doubt. On and off the pitch, if we have to.”
He added: “F*** them.”
Argentina boss Scaloni tried to play down the hostility in his pre-match press conference by insisting: “It’s a soccer match, 90 minutes where each one wants to win. It doesn’t need to go beyond that, and it won’t go beyond that.”
Scaloni also rubbished reports the Argentinian Football Association were considering parading the World Cup trophy the team won in Qatar in 2022 before the match in a bid to reflect their superiority.
He said: “There is no possibility of that happening tomorrow. No, absolutely not.”
Brazil are set to join Argentina at the finals, although they will have to wait a little longer to confirm their passage.
📰 Table Of Contents
Argentina Team News
The headline absentee is talisman Lionel Messi, although the Inter Miami star is joined on the sidelines by fellow attackers Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala.
Nico Gonzalez is suspended after receiving a late red card in the 1-0 win over Uruguay last week.
𝖧𝖾 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗌 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗌𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗍𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗌 🦁 pic.twitter.com/ShCwq0t9Gg
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 25, 2025
Rodrigo De Paul returns in midfield at the expense of Giuliano Simeone with Scaloni opting for a more physical XI with just two out-and-out attackers.
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paredes, Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Almada, Alvarez
Brazil Team News
Brazil boss Dorival Jr all but confirmed his team yesterday with the visitors set to make six changes to the side that saw off Colombia last week.
Four are enforced with Alisson and Gerson injured while Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel are suspended. Bento comes in in goal with Andre taking Gerson’s place.
Joelinton will replace Newcastle club-mate Guimaraes and Murillo will partner Marquinhos in central defence.
Two other changes see Wesley coming in for Vanderson and Matheus Cunha replacing Joao Pedro.
Brazil: Bento; Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo, Guilherme Arana; André, Joelinton, Raphinha; Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha
