'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
South American behemoths Argentina and Brazil played out a goalless stalemate at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Argentina needed a win to officially confirm their place at the Qatar showpiece, but a defeat for Chile later in the day meant they're now through, regardless.
La Albiceleste were the more dominant side in the first half although Brazil upped the ante after the break. However, some missed chances at both ends kept both sides from finding a breakthrough.
Brazil, in particular, would be frustrated as they saw two gilt-edged chances go waste from Vinicius Junior. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, saw a thunderous effort saved by Alisson.
The game was also quite physical with many rough challenges flying in from both sides But the draw maintained their respective unbeaten runs in the campaign. Brazil are still at the top with 35 points from 13 games, while Argentina are a close second with 29.
Here are the hits and flops from the match:
Hit: Fabinho (Brazil)
In a rough and fiercely-fought game like this, you need a robust and physical player in midfield who can brave it all and help take control of the match. For Brazil, Fabinho was that player.
The Liverpool star looked solid all throughout and put in a terrific shift in the center of the park. A battering ram of a player, he was key to breaking down Argentina's movements with crunch tackles.
He also read the game brilliantly, closing down angles to shoot and even threw his body on the line in an effort to block shots.
Given all the dirty work he did, Fabinho inevitably went into the referee's books late on for fouling Rodrigo De Paul. Nevertheless, the ex-Real Madrid player was all over the pitch last night; a thorn in Argentina's face with his directness and doggedness.
Flop: Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)
With no Sergio Aguero around, Lautaro Martinez is the only natural striker in the squad, but when he too doesn't show up, Argentina are left gasping for goals.
In yet another poor game for the Inter Milan ace, he struggled to impose himself in the match and got just 15 touches of the ball.
In fact, Martinez completed only three passes, and had one shot blocked and was hence duly taken off at the break.
He has struck five times for Argentina in these qualifiers, second only to Messi in the squad, but Martinez needs to add a ruthless streak to his game to be truly considered among the best.
Hit: Fred (Brazil)
Fabinho was superbly complemented in the middle by Fred, who worked effectively with his counterpart in acting as a defensive screen for the back-four.
Sure, his lapse in concentration can be frustrating, but he put in a solid shift too, working his socks off in the game and making several good runs on the ball.
He, along with Fabinho, were crucial to limiting the one-two passes which Messi normally loves to play with Angel di Maria, whilst also testing Argentina with long-range efforts. One of them even rattled the crossbar.
Flop: Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
Vinicius Junior was rewarded with a starting spot against Argentina for his promising cameo against Colombia. But the in-form Real Madrid winger frustrated Tite with his wastefulness.
The in-form winger made a mess of two excellent chances, arguably the best of both halves, which could've easily won the game for Selecao.
In the 17th minute, Paqueta played him through on goal, and with only Martinez to beat, Vinicius chipped his effort narrowly wide off target.
Then midway through the second half, Danilo squared an excellent pass to him, but Vinicius took one touch too many before firing a shot that the Argentine custodian saved easily.
Given the form he's produced on the club front this season, you'd expect him to put those chances away.
Hit: Nahuel Molina (Argentina)
Yes, he was 'rainbowed' by Vinicius in what was the most eye-catching moment of the game, but if you take that out of the picture, Molina was rather impressive for Argentina today.
He made four interceptions and completed six tackles, whilst also winning six ground duels. The 23-year-old was rock solid in defense for the Copa America champions.
Adventerous, full of energy and exuding an infectious flair, Molina was particularly great in the second period, when Selecao pushed bodies forward in search of a late winner.
The youngster has played every minute of Argentina's qualifiers since the Copa America and has impressed consistently - which is exactly why a few big guns in Serie A are interested in signing him.
