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The two most successful teams on the continent butted heads when Argentina welcomed Brazil for their 2022 World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifier on Tuesday night. As expected, the anticipation was through the roof for the Copa America final rematch. Unfortunately, neither team managed to put on a show for their supporters, with the match ending goalless.
Having already qualified for the Qatar World Cup, Brazil could afford to take it lightly. They were without their captain Neymar, who missed out with a thigh injury, with Brazil also making a couple of other changes to their lineup.
Argentina, on the other hand, welcomed their six-time Ballon d’Or winning captain, Lionel Messi, back from injury and saw him complete the match. The majestic Argentine created a couple of chances, but was largely anonymous in the game.
The hosts dominated possession, but it was Fred’s effort that came closest to breaking the deadlock. In the end, the two heavyweights settled for a goalless draw, which was enough for Argentina to book their place at the 2022 World Cup.
Beating Brazil, even at home, was hardly a straightforward affair, but fans expected a little better from the Copa America winners on Tuesday.
Here are the five Argentines who underperformed in their goalless draw with Brazil at the San Juan stadium:
#5 Marcos Acuna
Sevilla full-back Marcos Acuna was chosen to keep Argentina's left flank mobile on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old failed to do what was asked of him and was largely responsible for Argentina’s stagnant gameplay on the left-wing.
Thanks to Brazil’s hesitant forwards, Acuna was not pushed to his limits, but he failed to emerge as the towering figure we know he can be.
He lost possession a stagerring 11 times, picked up a silly yellow card after a tussle with Anthony, and created only a single chance.
#4 Giovani Lo Celso
With Brazil's towering defensive midfielder, Casemiro, suspended, many expected the Argentine midfielders to be imposing in the middle of the park. Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul did make the most of the opportunity, but his compatriot, Giovani Lo Celso, was nowhere to be found.
Lo Celso was Argentina’s most unimposing midfielder against Brazil on Tuesday night. He could not link with Messi and co., forcing the captain to drop deep from time to time.
The Tottenham Hotspur man also completed only 21 passes and could not manage to dispatch a single shot on goal. He was taken off in favor of Nicolas Dominguez in the 86th minute.
#3 Angel Di Maria
Brazil and Argentina are home to some of the most talented individuals in the world right now. Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria certainly belongs to the top echelon of the said global superstars.
The former Real Madrid man scored the winner against Uruguay on Friday, which put him in prime position to lead the charge against Brazil. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to the billing on Tuesday night and cut a frustrating figure.
Thanks to the sub-par performances of Giovani Lo Celso and Marcos Acuna, Di Maria was left isolated on the left flank. The 33-year-old tried to progress more than once, but Brazil’s midfielders and defenders were up to the task.
The nutmeg Di Maria performed at the expense of Vinicius Jr. was pretty much the highlight of his game on Tuesday night.
#2 Lionel Messi
Struggling with a niggling knee injury, Lionel Messi was a doubt for the all-important match against Brazil. The captain, however, patched himself up and decided to play from the first minute.
Unfortunately, he could not hit the ground running as he generally does.
Messi looked rusty on the pitch against Brazil and did not manage to make the impact he is known for. He dropped deep to collect the ball and carried it a couple of times, but ultimately failed to make the Brazil defense work.
The PSG man had the perfect opportunity to bury the game in the dying minutes but hit the ball straight at Brazil keeper Alisson. All in all, a disappointing night for the majestic number 10.
#1 Lautaro Martinez
Argentina have been searching for a capable centre-forward for a while now. With Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero out of the picture, the vacant number nine spot is there for the taking. Sadly, no one seems to be up for the task.
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is one of the most promising young forwards in the world right now. However, in Argentina’s colors, he has never managed to do anything of importance.
On Tuesday, he had the opportunity to rewrite his story. Disappointingly, he endured another tough day at the office.
Martinez started alongside Di Maria and Messi, so he did not have to worry about carrying the ball. He only needed to play as a target man up top and try to hit the back of the net.
Not only did he fail miserably at being a threat in front of the goal, but he also failed to link up with his teammates. Martinez had a single blocked shot and completed only three passes in the first half.
The Inter striker was deservedly subbed off in favor of Joaquin Correa at the end of the first half.
