Argentina 0-0 Brazil: Hosts seal World Cup qualification with a hard-fought point as fit-again Lionel Messi fails to inspire them to victory over their bitter rivals in feisty clash
- Bitter rivals Argentina and Brazil played out a goalless draw on Tuesday evening
- Argentina however joined their bitter rivals in qualifying for Qatar next winter
- Lionel Messi and Co saw other results go their way to qualify for World Cup
- Chile lost 2-0 at home to Ecuador while Uruguay suffered a 3-0 loss in Bolivia
- Latest World Cup news, including live action and results
Argentina qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next year despite only playing out a goalless stalemate against old rivals Brazil.
There were fireworks at the full-time whistle after the Copa America champions joined the visitors in qualifying for next winter's showpiece, but none on the pitch leaving the hosts and fans frustrated with chances few and far between.
However, Argentina - who are now unbeaten in 27 matches across the past 24 months - saw their place confirmed following Chile's 2-0 defeat by Ecuador and Uruguay's 3-0 loss in Bolivia.
![Argentina qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next year despite drawing against Brazil](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/09/50598511-10208401-image-a-1_1637139798714.jpg)
Argentina qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next year despite drawing against Brazil
![Lionel Messi has admitted he struggled to keep up with the pace of Argentina v Brazil](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/09/50598515-10208401-image-a-2_1637139803506.jpg)
Fit-again Lionel Messi failed to inspire Argentina to victory over their bitter rivals in San Juan
This fixture was sensationally abandoned in September after just six minutes when Brazilian government officials stormed the pitch to remove Tottenham pair Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero as well as Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez after they were deemed to broken quarantine rules and falsifying documents to enter the country illegally.
But with no government health officials in sight this time round, the game got underway undisturbed and it had it's usual Superclasico feel to it.
It was the typical feisty affair you'd expect from these South American giants, with both sets of players refusing to go easy on one another as the rash challengers flew in.
![Vinicius Junior came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half but he scuffed his chance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50585013-10210365-image-a-19_1637111266388.jpg)
Vinicius Junior came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half but he scuffed his chance
![The Real Madrid winger has his head in his hands after spurning a glorious opportunity](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50585007-10210365-image-a-20_1637111269386.jpg)
The Real Madrid winger has his head in his hands after spurning a glorious opportunity
![Brazil midfielder Fred (not pictured) came closest next, hitting the bar with a dipping effort](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50586165-10208401-Brazil_midfielder_Fred_not_pictured_came_closest_next_hitting_th-a-2_1637138761481.jpg)
Brazil midfielder Fred (not pictured) came closest next, hitting the bar with a dipping effort
![Vinicius came close to scoring again, but his shot was comfortably saved by Martinez](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50586517-10210365-image-a-27_1637112343947.jpg)
Vinicius came close to scoring again, but his shot was comfortably saved by Martinez
Leeds winger Raphinha found himself on the end of a nasty Nicolas Otamendi elbow, causing him to bleed from the mouth in the first half while the pitchside medics gave him a big bit of tissue to bite to stop the blood from flowing.
But when it came to scoring, it was Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior who spurned the first real chance of the game, after he was played through one on one with Emi Martinez but his audacious scoop-effort over the Argentinian goalkeeper went horribly wide.
As the tackles continued to fly in and bookings became more frequent, both sides continued to struggle to get away any meaningful chances at the start of the second half.
![Nicolas Otamendi elbows Leeds winger Raphinha (left) in the mouth during a tussle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50585111-10210365-image-a-21_1637111280616.jpg)
Nicolas Otamendi elbows Leeds winger Raphinha (left) in the mouth during a tussle
![Otamendi tries to hurry the Brazilian to his feet, who begins to heavily bleed from the mouth](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50585925-10210365-image-a-22_1637111309677.jpg)
Otamendi tries to hurry the Brazilian to his feet, who begins to heavily bleed from the mouth
![Raphinha shows off the damage sustained in his coming together with Otamendi](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50586173-10208401-Raphinha_shows_off_the_damage_sustained_in_his_coming_together_w-a-3_1637138761512.jpg)
Raphinha shows off the damage sustained in his coming together with Otamendi
![Messi confronts referee Andres Cunha over a crunching tackle during the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50586177-10208401-Messi_confronts_referee_Andres_Cunha_over_a_crunching_tackle_dur-a-4_1637138761522.jpg)
Messi confronts referee Andres Cunha over a crunching tackle during the game
Fred came closest to breaking the deadlock next, with his dipping effort from the top of the box striking the crossbar and then over Martinez's net.
Vinicius Junior was given another chance at goal, after being found out wide by Matheus Cunha but the winger could only smash his shot down the throat of Martinez, who comfortably saved.
The two sides cancelled each other out and the chances dried up as the clock ticked down in San Juan, as both sides looked for that all important breakthrough – and last-gasp winner.
But it never came.
Messi tried his best to break the deadlock with a powerful shot from the top of the box, with his shot veering up at the last moment leaving Alisson to scramble the ball away and deny the Argentinian talisman.
![Messi (right) and Brazil's Matheus Cunha battle for the ball during a fiesty affair in Argentina](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50584993-10208401-Messi_right_and_Brazil_s_Matheus_Cunha_battle_for_the_ball_durin-a-5_1637138761530.jpg)
Messi (right) and Brazil's Matheus Cunha battle for the ball during a fiesty affair in Argentina
![Cristian Romero (left) goes up for a header with Eder Militao during the first half of the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50585001-10208401-Cristian_Romero_left_goes_up_for_a_header_with_Eder_Militao_duri-a-6_1637138761532.jpg)
Cristian Romero (left) goes up for a header with Eder Militao during the first half of the game
![The skipper was kept quiet throughout large parts of the game where he was heavily marked](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/01/50585125-10208401-Messi_was_kept_quiet_throughout_large_parts_of_the_game_where_he-a-33_1637112929588.jpg)
Messi was kept quiet throughout large parts of the game where he was heavily marked
![The Argentina stars hold up a banner in support of team-mate Sergio Aguero before the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/17/08/50584997-10208401-The_Argentina_stars_hold_up_a_banner_in_support_of_team_mate_Ser-a-1_1637138761442.jpg)
The Argentina stars hold up a banner in support of team-mate Sergio Aguero before the game
Scroll down to re-live the action as it happened with Sportsmail
And that's that! Honours even and a goalless stalemate, with no fewer than SEVEN yellow cards.
There will be no automatic qualification for Argentina, who now still need one more point to secure their place at the Qatar World Cup.
Brazil of course are already there confirmed, and extend their unbeaten run in qualifying here tonight.
Argentina now undefeated in their last 27 matches!
Thanks kindly for your company this evening, apologies for the lack of goals! Until next time.
And of course it's Messi, marching through, dribbling while almost doing kick-ups.
He's marked on both sides but still gets a low, driven shot on target. Alisson saves with strong hands.
Gabriel Jesus on for Matheus Cunha.
For Argentina Los Celso is off, replaced by Dominguez.
Driving run by Messi - who has been much more quiet this second half - who releases a through-ball but there's too much on it for Correa.
He manages to salvage it somehow and win a corner, but it's curled straight into the hands of Alisson.
Acunas and Antony clash off the ball - both booked. Yet more yellows. All a bit of a farce really.
Di Maria off, River Plate striker Alvarez replaces him.
Late lunge on De Paul sees yellow.
Brazil should be in front!
It's newcomer Antony making things happen on the right, as Brazil switch through the gears and work the ball to the opposite side.
It falls to Vinicius who cuts inside, and hammers it down low only as far as the hands of Martinez.
Raphinha off, Antony on.
Lo Celso goes down in the area amid a tangle of legs, but the freekick is being given to Brazil.
Ref calls it correctly, as replays show the Spurs man was the instigator.
On the touchline Brazil are readying Antony.
Pezzella's first involvement and he takes a yellow card for slamming the door on Vincius.
Quite literally.. he ran into the path of the Madrid starlet and just stopped. Very cynical.
Brazil have a freekick on the left which Raphinha whips in... it's headed clear but only as far as Fred who pulls off a stunning first time volley and hits the bar!
Where is that kind of finesse for Man United?
Emi Martinez will be thanking his lucky stars, again.
German Pezzella is on for Romero.
Moments ago he signalled he was fine to carry out, just after getting his booking. But now he's pulled up again and Scaloni has seen enough.
Well, the ref is card-shy no more!
Matheus Cunha bursts away with formidable speed and footwork, and Spurs man Romero hauls him down.
Freekick given and yellow immediately brandished. He'll have to be careful from here on out.
Okay, here we go!
The teams are back out in San Juan and get us re-started.
Tempers are still high and the stage is very much set under the lights.
Lisandro Martinez has come on for Argentina, in place of Paredes. Joaquin Correa also joins the action, replacing Lautaro Martinez.
Aaaand breathe.
What a frenetic 45 minutes of football.
Some rivalry and it has certainly shown. Tempers flaring big time, and the second half could yet see a red card - it seems very possible.
Both sides head down the tunnel all square.
Paqueta and Paredes clash and square up and now finally, ladies and gentlemen, we have our first yellow cards.
An Argentina freekick is given and Messi whips it into the box.
Alisson drops the balls and it almost falls for Otamendi - but the Liverpool goalkeeper does down after taking a whack to the face. The ref intervenes and stops play.
Lautaro Martinez hacked down by Cunha on the edge of the area, left side, and it's a freekick which he swung in and headed by Cristian Romero... but judged offside.
Whistling inside the stadium is now reaching fever pitch, with this game threatening to turn ugly.
We've had about 50 meaty challenges and yet not a single yellow card has been shown, as half-time fast approaches.
Fred unleashes s thunderbolt from distance... but Martinez holds.
At the other end Raphinha skins Otamendi and gets an elbow to the face for his troubles.
The former City man is furious that he's gone down and grabs him and literally places him back to his feet. Raphinha is pleading to the ref, showing him some blood.
VAR is checking, as the ref continues to get an earful.
What a circus this is becoming. Play restarts with Argentina in their own area - no decision for Brazil.
Messi and Di Maria absolutely incensed.
Messi strolls through the full Brazil defence and is brought tumbling down on the edge... only for the ref to give handball against him for touching it while on the deck.
Home fans are livid but the ref holds strong.
Raphinha from distance but it's well wide.
Spicy few moments as De Paul robbed Fred and sparked an upfield charge via Messi... only for Lucas Paqueta to gristle into him in similar fashion and start a similar breakaway/
This certainly has not been a slow-paced affair so far.
Biiig tackle by Fabinho on Messi, as Argentina try and fail to break.
Brazil boss Tite is absolutely fuming on the touchlines moments later, as Matheus Cunha looks to have broken completely free on goal... only to then be deemed to have brought down the last man.
Martinez relieved!
Well well well... almost utter embarrassment for the Villa goalkeeper. Heavy pressing upfield from Argentina allowed Brazil to break and Matheus Cunha had a rather cunning plan.
He unleashes from around 70yards out and very nearly scores his first international goal.
Thankfully for Martinez it goes just around the post, after leaving him stranded.
Brazil show the first signs of life after a stunted start. Acceptable, of course, given they have already qualified.
Manchester United's Fred leads a very promising counter-attack with a weaving run, before laying the ball off to Vinicius.
The Madrid ace takes it to his left but gets a poor touch and drives the ball out for a goal-kick... much to the delight of the home fans.
Hosts on top, holding 60 per cent of possession so far.
Scaloni is watching on as his men switch the ball from left to right, looking to unlock the spaces for Messi to nip into and cause some damage.
A long shot from distance is deflected but causes no bother for Liverpool stopper Alisson.
A raucous opening few moments as Argentina try to establish some early rhythm and get Messi on the ball from the off.
He's being swamped by yellow shirts and has already had a few nibbles at the ankles.
The atmosphere is loud and the home faithful very much fancy their chances with this one...
Here we go! The Superclasico is under way.
Kick-off now just a matter of minutes away inside Argentina's Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.
Okay, so just under ten minutes to go until kick-off.
It will be interesting to see how Messi gets on this evening. It's fair to say he has absolutely not settled in Paris, and the fact he flew out to join up with the national side despite being injured shows where his priorities lie.
Messi has miraculously returned to fitness while out with Argentina, much to the frustration of PSG chief Leonardo.
He'll be looked upon tonight as the leader and talisman as per, and should look somewhat sharp after getting 15 minutes in the tank against Uruguay.
So, this is how the South American qualification table is poised heading into this one...
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Militao, Sandro; Fabinho, Paqueta, Fred; Raphinha, Vinicius, Cunha
Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro, Di María.
In the mood for a bit of late night World Cup qualification action, featuring two of the best national sides on the planet?
Of course you are.
Brazil - who already have their plane tickets booked to Qatar - face an Argentina side who are desperate to beat them once again, just as they did in the summer.
Neymar is out whereas Messi is very much back.
Oh, and the small matter of Argentina not having lost for 26 matches may have some bearing on this one.
Starting line-ups coming to you very soon.
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