FIFA WC | Will Brazil-Argentina Clash Again In Semis After 32 Yrs?

By OB Digital Last updated Dec 6, 2022 at 7:08 PM

Brazil’s thumping last-16 win over the Korean Republic has further increased the likelihood of a mouthwatering South American meeting in the semi-finals at Qatar 2022.

Immediately after Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Australia in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Albiceleste fans were already thinking about a possible meeting with Brazil in the semi-final, a classic rivalry that has been waiting to be renewed on the biggest stage for 32 years by both sides.

For that to happen, the Argentinians need to beat the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and count on the Seleção – emphatic winners in their last-16 tie with Korea Republic – seeing off Croatia.

These South American giants have not met in a World Cup since 1990, but the rivalry has only grown since then, with many regional clashes.

This could be one of the biggest games in World Cup history and the biggest Brazil-Argentina match-up football has ever seen.

32 years of wait for rematch

Brazil and Argentina have met four times in the history of the World Cup. The record is fairly balanced, with two wins for Brazil, one for Argentina and a draw.

The four games took place in a span of five World Cups, between 1974 and 1990.

In 1974 and 1978, the rivals met within groups that defined the qualifiers for the final.

In the first meeting, Brazil beat Argentina but finished second in the group, which was won by the Netherlands.

Four years later, a 0-0 draw helped Argentina qualify from a group that also included Peru and Poland.

In 1982, Brazil and Argentina met again in the same phase. The Seleção defeated their rivals 3-1, in one of the great games of the mythical team that included Zico and Socrates.

But the defeat to Italy ended up eliminating Brazil from the competition.

The last confrontation was in 1990, already in the current format.

In the Round of 16, Brazil played a game of great possession and scoring chances, but Diego Maradona unbalanced the rhythm with a brilliant individual play before Claudio Caniggia’s goal.

After so many clashes, the rivalry has been looking forward to a reunion ever since. It has been 32 years and counting, which may come to an end in a few days in Qatar.