The two arch-rivals Brazil and Argentina will face off in the much-anticipated Clasico next Wednesday. However, the traditional excitement has been dampened by injuries to several big stars from both teams. Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala were dropped before the squad was announced. And after the Brazilian team was announced, Neymar Jr. was dropped due to injury. Thus, 5 more stars have left the field as the match between the two teams approaches.
Brazil and Argentina have already played one match each in the ongoing World Cup qualifying window. Both have added confidence for the Clasico by winning their two matches. However, injuries and yellow card suspensions have worried coaches Darival Junior and Lionel Scaloni. The Seleção have lost 4 stars ahead of the upcoming match. And one of the Albiceleste players has confirmed his absence after seeing a red card in today’s match. Apart from this, Rodrigo de Paul and Lautaro Martinez are uncertain.
Alisson Becker suffered a head injury in the 2-1 win against Colombia yesterday. Which knocked him out of the Argentina match. Earlier, Alisson clashed with Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez, which caused both of them to leave the field. Matias Bento took over as Brazil’s goalkeeper for the remainder of the game. Brazilian midfielder Gerson was also injured in the same match. In addition, Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes are unable to play in the next match due to yellow cards in two matches. Four new players have already been added to the squad to replace them.
On the other hand, Argentina won a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay today. But in the fifth minute of added time, Nicolas Gonzalez hit Uruguayan defender Nahitan Nandez in the face while trying to clear a ball in the air. The referee immediately showed him a red card. The Argentine forward will not be able to play in the next match due to the red card. Apart from this, Lautaro Martinez was ruled out of the Uruguay match due to a muscle injury. He is unlikely to be available for the Brazil match either.
Apart from this, Coach Scaloni did not play Rodrigo de Paul against Uruguay today. This Atletico Madrid midfielder got injured while playing against Getafe in the La Liga match on March 9. His discomfort has not gone away yet. However, Scaloni has not given up hope of getting him against Brazil. The World Cup-winning coach said, “I think he will be fit before the Brazil match. We will try our best, I am sure he will be ready.”
Brazil and Argentina will face off in the Clasico at the Monumental Stadium on Wednesday. The match will start at 6 am Bangladesh time. Argentina will secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup if they defeat the Seleção. So far, they are at the top of the Latin region’s points table. They have 28 points from 13 matches. Brazil, who are in third place, have got 21 points from the same number of matches.
