Argentina beat Australia 2-1 in the Round of 16 match at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to reach the last eight.
Ahead of their clash with the Netherlands in the last eight, some fans are already talking about a potential clash between Brazil and Argentina in the semi-finals.
Fans will surely be thrilled if the rematch of the 32-year-old game between world football’s oldest rivals takes place now in 2022.
For that to happen, Argentina must beat the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. After beating South Korea first in the last 16, Brazil must also win in the quarterfinals. After beating South Korea in the last 16, Brazil will face either Japan or Croatia in the quarterfinals.
Only if they win all these matches will the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 meet between the giants of South America.
Brazil and Argentina have not met in the World Cup since 1990. Apart from the World Cup, there have been many matches between the two teams in the regional competition in recent years.
If both teams make it through the quarterfinals, it could be the biggest match in World Cup history and the biggest between Brazil and Argentina.
Will there be a ‘Rematch’ after 32 years?
Brazil and Argentina have met four times in the history of the World Cup. Brazil won two matches while Argentina won one match. One game ended in a draw.
The two countries played four matches between 1974 and 1990 during five World Cups.
In 1974 and 1978, the two teams competed in the group stage. Brazil beat Argentina in the first match, but the Netherlands finished second in the group. Four years later, the two teams played a goalless draw.
In 1982, Brazil and Argentina met in a Group C match. In which Brazil won 3-1. But a loss to Italy eliminated Brazil from the tournament.
The last competition was held in 1990. In the round of 16, Brazil played well but missed the chance to score. Maradona-led Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to reach the last eight. Argentina, who made it to the finals, lost to Germany in the title match.
It has been 32 years since Argentina and Brazil met in the World Cup. That wait could end in a few days in the queue.
Although they have not played in the World Cup for 32 years, Brazil and Argentina competed in the Copa America final only the previous year.
Argentina had not won an official title since 1993. Last year, Argentina’s 28-year title drought ended in 2021. Argentina and captain Lionel Messi’s title chase was completed in style against Brazil at the Maracana.
Angel Di Maria’s goal gave Argentina a victory to remember and glory. The victory inside the Maracana was the subject of music, flags and all kinds of celebrations by the fans.
Before the ongoing tournament in Qatar, Messi and Neymar said several times that this World Cup could be their last. The French club Paris Saint-Germain pair have the faith and trust of their respective countries.
It has been 36 years since Argentina won the World Cup. Two-time champions Argentina last won in 1986. Five-time champions Brazil have also found it difficult to make it to the finals in recent editions. Brazil last won the title 20 years ago in 2002.