In the build-up to Argetina's World Cup qualifier against Brazil, much was made of Lionel Messi's record against Selecao. He hadn't scored in a competitive fixture against his country's biggest rival and, with the World Cup champions heading to the famous Maracana, could this be the game where he finally finds his big moment?
In the end, Messi's most important role was that of peacemaker, as he led his team off the pitch after some ugly scenes pre-game. Once the match did begin after a 30-minute delay, it wasn't Messi that would be the hero. No, this time around, it was someone a bit more unlikely.
Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal in Argentina's 1-0 win, one that keeps them on track to secure an early qualification for 2026. Perhaps more importantly, though, it piled on the misery for Brazil, who have now lost three in a row, an unfathomable streak for the five-time winners.
It wasn't a pretty Argentina victory, as the game lacked any sort of rhythm early on with both sets of players clearly riled up by the pre-game events. Once it did settle down, though, Argentina were the better of the two sides, and they leave Brazil will all three points in hand while reminding the world that is the Albiceleste, not Brazil, that are now CONMEBOL's final boss.
GOAL rates Argentina's players from the Maracana...