Superclásico de las Américas: 3 reasons why Brazil beat Argentina

#2 Casemiro kept the midfield ticking

Philippe Coutinho was the cynosure of all eyes at the World Cup in Russia earlier this year and was arguably the best - or second best - Brazilian player during the course of the tournament. Tonight though, he was poor. The Selecao number 11 seldom found his way through traffic, earned a booking for a rash tackle and was generally a passenger over the course of the game.

His midfield compatriots on the other hand, Casemiro and Arthur, shone and delivered; in fact, the two were probably the best of an admittedly ordinary Canarinha bunch on the night.

Casemiro was especially bright – controlling the midfield, channeling and trying to initiate attacks, breaking up Argentine counters and came quite close to scoring and breaking the deadlock in the second half. His free-kick was deceptively low and was deflected slightly wide; Romero did not stand a chance.

The man at the base of the Brazilian midfield was in control and his calm, effective manner gave Arthur further confidence and do well alongside.