Argentina And Brazil Played Out A Feisty 0-0 Draw

 The last time Argentina were victorious in a qualifier against Brazil was in 2005, when a Hernán Crespo double helped his side to a 3-1 win, though the hosts were buoyed by the absence of Neymar, Richarlison and Roberto Firmino, as Atlético Madrid starlet Matheus Cunha lead the line on his first competitive start. 

With chances few and far between, his first goal almost came in extraordinary circumstances, when his effort from inside his own half almost caught Emiliano Martínez out as he frantically backtracked, only to see the ball float just over the crossbar.

 It took until the 40th minute for either side to register a shot on target in a stop-start affair. 

First it was Fred’s long-range free-kick, followed by a curling Rodrigo de Paul effort at the other end, testing Alisson low to his left.

 In a ferocious encouter, the lack of discipline from both sides was plain to see, with Nicolás Otamendi surviving a VAR check for allegedly swinging an elbow. 

 The second half started in much the same vein as Brazil continued to threaten down the left through Vinícius Júnior, who was wiped out during a trademark mazy run as temperatures reached boiling point. 

The resulting free-kick fell at the edge of the box for Fred, whose right-footed volley clattered the crossbar. 

However, the clearest chance of the game fell to Cunha in the 72nd minute when he found himself in acres of space at the back post only to fire his effort straight at Martínez. 

 Both sides seemingly took their foot off the gas in the closing stages and ultimately the stars aligned for a low-scoring affair. 

The last six H2Hs have seen two or fewer goals and ‘La Albiceleste’ will take solace from six clean sheets in a row.

 Brazil will take pleasure from their own defensive record, having kept nine clean sheets in their last twelve World Cup qualifying away matches. 

Source: FlashScore