Brazil host Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier less than two months after their Copa America final from less than two months ago.
Depleted Brazil were second best for much of their trip to Santiago having seen 11 players prevented from joining the squad by their clubs due to coronavirus quarantine restrictions.
Key English based players Alisson of Liverpool, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus were missing but crucially Neymar, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, was available.
But they continued their perfect start to qualifying with a seventh win out of seven as Everton Ribeiro scored the only goal in a 1-0 away victory over Chile.
Also, Argentina star Lionel Messi is a slight doubt after being subjected to a harsh tackle by Venezuela’s Adrian Martinez on Thursday, which led to a red card.
In his first match for his country since moving to Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi struggled to stamp his authority on the match in Caracas, but it mattered little.
If Messi can play, as expected, Argentina will have a good chance of strengthening their status as the best team in South America after beating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final in July in Rio de Janeiro.
“What matters the most is not to rest on past achievements and march on,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni Scaloni said after the 3-1 win in Venezuela. “It will be a different match against Brazil, everyone is available and whoever is at their best will play.”
Brazil lead the South American qualifying group with a perfect 21 points after seven games, while Argentina are second on 15.
Argentina maintained their unbeaten start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, cruising to a 3-1 victory at 10-man Venezuela on Thursday night.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in first half injury time after Venezuela had been reduced to 10 men by Luis Adrian Martinez’s red card for a reckless challenge on Messi.
Argentina did not impress but the extra man told in the final quarter when substitutes Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa broke through.
“It will be a great, important match after the final we played,” said Lautaro Martinez.
“We have to rest and then approach the match like we did the Copa America final.”
The first four teams will automatically qualify for the tournament in Qatar next year.
The fifth-place team will take part in a playoff against a team from a different confederation.
