Brazil, Argentina face trial as World Cup qualifying resumes

Last month play between the 2 rivals in So Paulo was suspended shortly after kickoff, when a Brazilian well being official entered the pitch to take away 4 Argentine gamers who he believed have been in violation of COVID-19 protocols. The cause have to be in quarantine. Both groups went on to win their second recreation of that worldwide window to make it to Qatar.

And comparable scenes ought to be prevented when Brazil, which tops the qualifying standings, visits last-placed Venezuela and travels to Asuncion to face second-placed Argentina Paraguay.

This time, England gamers have been allowed to journey to South America regardless of Britain’s strict COVID-19 restrictions. Premier League gamers should present they’ve been absolutely vaccinated to keep away from a 10-day quarantine after returning to their golf equipment.

Also, third-placed Uruguay will host Colombia on Thursday. Fourth place Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru will play host Chile.

Brazil has 24 factors and Argentina 18 factors from eight matches. Uruguay (15), Ecuador (13) and Colombia (13) observe, however have performed all 9 matches.

The prime 4 groups have secured a spot in subsequent yr’s World Cup in Qatar. The fifth-place workforce will advance to the playoffs in opposition to a workforce from a special confederation.

Venezuela vs Brazil

A win in Venezuela would put Brazil on the verge of qualifying for Qatar, however coach Tite may very well be with out a vital begin. Midfielder Casemiro is out with an damage, with Liverpool’s Fabinho to be seen as his attainable substitute.

Fabinho is one among a number of England gamers, together with goalkeeper Ederson, defender Thiago Silva and striker Gabriel Jesus, who couldn’t play within the final worldwide window amid stress from their Premier League golf equipment.

Jesus, who has not performed for Brazil because the Copa America quarter-finals, was broadly criticized at residence after the final World Cup in Russia, when he failed to attain a single aim.

Brazil misplaced to Belgium within the quarterfinals however Jesus mentioned he was already trying to redeem himself in Qatar.

“I don’t think I will wipe out 2018, but I will write another story,” Jesus mentioned at a information convention on Tuesday. “Now we have a new group.”

Paraguay vs Argentina

Paraguay’s well-organized and defensive workforce has typically given Lionel Messi’s Argentina workforce a tricky time. Argentina went on to beat Paraguay 1–0 within the Copa América, however their final 4 matches ended with three attracts and one victory for Paraguay.

Expect one other robust recreation for Argentina on Thursday, with Paraguayan coach Eduardo Berrizo _ an Argentine _ already saying he’ll use a again 5 to cease Messi and his teammates.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has caught to a lot of the workforce profitable the Copa America in July, the nation’s first main title in 28 years and Messi’s first title with the nationwide workforce.

“This squad has a foundation of repeat 80 or 90%,” Scoloni mentioned. “It gives you some ease, despite the less time we have to work.”