Lionel Messi will be at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A 0-0 draw was enough for his Argentina side to mathematically book its ticket to the tournament after a heated World Cup qualifying rivalry match against Brazil in San Juan.
Messi, who started the match and went the full 90 minutes, nearly scored in the last minute of the match, but his shot on goal went straight into the hands of Brazil goalkeeper Alisson. It would have made for a magical finish to the evening for the hosts.
Brazil, which previously clinched its World Cup spot on Nov. 11, created more attacking opportunities and could have come away with a famous victory, but some solid goalkeeping from Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez and other questionable finishing kept them off the board.
The match was the usual physical, chippy affair between the two heavyweights and Brazil fans would have probably wanted to see a red card shown to Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi, who viciously elbowed Leeds United winger Raphinha. The referees looked the other way although it was checked by the VAR.
Brazil and Argentina continue to lead the South American qualifying standings. Both teams remained undefeated in qualifying and the Argentines extended their unbeaten streak across all matches to 27 games and counting.
These were just some of the heated up moments during the iconic match up;
45th min.: Lucas Paqueta and Leandro Paredes go nose to nose! Both get a yellow card. A little Lyon-PSG bad blood mixed in there, too.
48th min.: Lautaro Martinez goes down in the box, but there's no infraction. Good no-call from the referee. Argentina pushing hard to end the first half.
53rd min.: Another dirty play from an Argentine player. This time it's Rodrigo De Paul who kicks out Lucas Paqueta's chance from the ground. No discipline from the ref.
76th min.: Marcos Acuna gets a yellow card for trying to get under Antony's skin. He tried.
79th min: Messi gets in the referee's face.With 10 minutes left in the first half, Leo Messi gets fouled near the box but the ref calls a foul of his right before that. He gets in the ref's face.
83rd min: Romero gets booked for a foul on Matheus Cunha.
85th min: Acuña and Anthony get booked.Things get a little heated between Marcos Acuña and Anthony, both players get booked.