Brazil and Argentina have perhaps the most fierce football rivalry. Over a century, the Brazilian national football team vs Argentina national football team lineups have played some incredible games.
With eight World Cups to their names, these teams have always taken the game seriously. Both sets of fans bring their best for the match, which sometimes causes unsavoury incidents. However, these games have provided us with some of the best moments that football has ever seen.
So, here are the four times that Brazil national football team vs Argentina national football team lineups faced each other in a World Cup game.
1974 FIFA World Cup, Argentina 1-2 Brazil
Despite being so dominant in the World Cup, the Brazil national football team vs Argentina national football team lineups would only meet for the first time at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
After qualifying from the first round, the two teams were placed in Group A of the second group stage. Argentina were coming into the game after being thrashed by the Total Football playing Netherlands while the defending champions had defeated East Germany.
The game was a tight affair as Rivelino and Jairzinho scored for the Selecao while Miguel Angel Brindisi scored the only goal for Argentina. Brazil would finish second in the group that only earned them a third-place playoff. Argentina, however, had a campaign to forget, losing all three of their games to finish bottom of the group.
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1978 FIFA World Cup, Argentina 0-0 Brazil
Four years later, the Brazil national football team vs Argentina national football team lineups would again square off against one another. Argentina were the hosts and again placed with the Selecao in Group B of the second group stage.
Both teams were coming off wins in their first, which meant that a victory would virtually guarantee first place and a place in the final. Called the Battle of Rosario, the game was a goalless but very ill-tempered affair.
However, it was the last games of these two teams that are remembered more. Brazil had won their game against Poland by 3-1. This meant that Argentina had to win by four goals in their last match against Peru. They ended up winning the game 6-0, with accusations of match-fixing being hurled at Peru. However, nothing was proved, and Argentina won the final and secured their first World Cup crown.
1982 FIFA World Cup, Argentina 1-3 Brazil
The third meeting between the Brazil national football team and Argentina national football team lineups would again be in the second group stage. The two teams were placed in Group B with the eventual winner, Italy. Argentina lost their first game against Italy and needed a win against Brazil to keep their campaign alive.
However, against the brilliance of Serginho, Socrates, Eder, Zico, and Falcao, Argentina were left chasing shadows. To make matters worse, Diego Maradona was shown a red card for kicking Batista.
Brazil would lose their final game against Italy to finish second, which means they were knocked out of the World Cup.
Read More: The historical rivalry between Germany and France at the World Cups and Euros
1990 FIFA World Cup, Brazil 0-1 Argentina
The 1990 FIFA World Cup clash between Brazil and Argentina is perhaps their most controversial. The two teams met in the round of 16, and the game was a tense affair, with Claudio Caniggia’s goal being the only difference between the two sides.
However, the real controversy erupted after the game when Brazilian player Branco accused an Argentine support staff of giving him a bottle that was laced with tranquillisers, causing him to experience sudden blackouts in the latter part of the match. While Argentina denied the incident years later, Diego Maradona said Branco was given the ‘holy water’. The Argentine Football Federation continues to deny such an incident took place.