Argentina 4-1 Brazil Player Ratings: Argentina Thrash Brazil in a Fiery Encounter Between the Rivals

Argentina completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Brazil, thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Macallister and Giuliano Simeone for the hosts, Matheus Cunha for the visitors. Argentina finish the group stage as the deserving table toppers, winning ten of their fourteen matches. It was a disappointing campaign for Brazil, who despite qualifying, have finished fourth, winning only six of their fourteen matches.

Argentina make a single alteration from the side, with Simeone making way for De Paul. Brazil on the other hand made six changes, as a head injury in his last match for Alisson made him unavailable for tonight’s fixture, thereby replacing him with Bento between the posts. Gabriel did not feature either, giving up his spot to Murillo. Wesley took over from Vanderson at full-back, midfielders Joelinton and Andre came in for the suspended Bruno Guimaraes and injured Gerson respectively. The final swap was in attack, where Matheus Cunha replaced João Pedro.

Argentina didn’t take long for things to get under way, with Alvarez opening the scoring just at the fourth minute mark, thanks to a wonderful ball from Almada and clever close control. They doubled the lead, eight minutes later, thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s close-range finish from a Molina cross. Brazil were geting outplayed, but they held on and managed to pull one back through Cunha, who capitalized on an error Cristian Romero made. The joy was short lived as eleven minutes later, Argentina scored again with a side-footed dink over the goalkeeper from Alexis MacAllister. The game was supposed to be a low-intense affair as both teams almost sealed their qualification, but it quickly turned into a heated, stop-start affair.

Brazil made tactical changes before the kickoff of the second half to pull the game back. But it did not affect Argentina, as they continued to display their dominance. The hosts added the fourth goal of the night as the substitute Simeone scored with his first touch of the night, with a deft finish at the backpost from a Tagliafico cross. While Brazil came close on a few occasions, like the Raphinha free-kick to score their second, they did not create consistent chances to turn the game around. Scaloni made clever substitutions to see the game out and the hosts emerged victorious at the full-time whistle.

Here are the player ratings for Argentina National Football Team vs Brazil National Football Team.

Argentina Player Ratings

GK- Emiliano Martinez – 6/10

Apart from the one goal conceded, he did not have anything to do the whole match as Brazil struggled to even get shots on target.

LB- Nicolas Tagliafico – 7/10

He supported the attackers well tonight and was rightfully rewarded with her assist. However, while defending, there were some slight misjudgments from his side.

CB- Nicolas Otamendi – 6/10

He played a traditional defensive role with good aerial presence but there were some moments where he He looked uncomfortable, especially while passing the ball around. He also got into the books of the referee for a brash tackle.

CB- Cristian Romero – 5/10

His usual aggressive defending backfired tonight. It was a night to forget for him, as he made an error that led to a goal for Brazil.

RB- Nahuel Molina – 7/10

He gave his side defensive solidity alongside the forward runs along the flank. He provided crucial support in on both sides of the pitch, making a soldi impact overall

CM- Enzo Fernandez – 8.5/10

The best player on the pitch tonight. He controlled the midfield with excellent vision and quick decision making. He played a key role in two of the three goals and ending the night with a goal and an assist.

CM- Leandro Paredes – 6.5/10

A decent performance from him as he dictated the tempo in the midfield and was composed on the wall while retaining possession for his side.

CM- Alexis Mac Allister – 8/10

He was instrumental in the way his team played, orchestrating attacks and he himself got onto the score sheet with a fantastic dink over the keeper.

LW- Thiago Almada – 7/10

Another fantastic outing for the young attacker, whose dribbling and pace troubled the Brazilian defenders. He was subbed off to provide rest as he played a lot of minutes during this international window.

ST- Julian Alvarez – 8/10

He was clinical in front of the goal and took his chance very early in the game providing dominance to his side. His intelligent movement of the ball and the ability to hold off defenders provided a lot of space, on which the other attackers capitalized

RW- Rodrigo De Paul – 6/10

He played out of position tonight as a right-winger where he was not able to make an impact like he would have wanted, despite being involved in buildup with his passing range.

SUB- Giuliano Simeone – 7/10

He made an immediate impact on the pitch. Has scored the fourth goal of the night with his first touch.

SUB- Facundo Medina – 5.5/10

He was put in to see out the remainder of the game, as Tagliafico was on the pitch with a booking.

SUB- Nico Paz – 6/10

The young midfielder got an opportunity to impress in the latter stages, as the match was pretty much sealed, which also gave Mac Allister an early rest.

SUB- Exequiel Palacios – NA

He was subbed in to add fresh energy to the midfield and provide cover to the backline, in addition to providing a break for Paredes.

SUB- Ángel Correa – NA

He came on to the pitch to see out the match and provide rest to their star attacker, Julian Alvarez.

Manager- Lionel Scaloni – 8.5/10

A fantastic result against their rivals to cap off their qualification campaign. The attackers were on song, converting their chances well, and the backline provided defensive stability. His substitutions were also on point, adding impact to the game.

Also Read: England 3–0 Latvia Player Ratings: The Three Lions Grab an Easy Win in the World Cup Qualifiers

Brazil Player Ratings

GK- Bento Krepski – 5.5/10

He wasn’t alert and conceded four goals. This is a bad mark on any keeper.

LB- Guilherme Arana – 5.5/10

There were moments where He provided some effective clearances and contributed to the attack with his crosses. There were a lot of indecisive movements which hampered his overall impact on the game.

CB- Marquinhos – 5.5/10

He exhibited calm and composed defending and tried to manage several difficult situations effectively. But the overall defensive realities of his side made him vulnerable to attacks.

CB- Murillo – 5/10

He made a very critical error that led to the goal and made multiple missed challenges. All things considered, he was rightfully subbed off after the end of the first half.

RB- Wesley – 5.5/10

An inconsistent overall performance where he struggled to provide impetus going forward and was frail defensively.

CM- Andre – 5.5/10

While his work rate was commendable, the lack of creativity and sporadic defensive lapses made him a Target as his team had to concede a lot of turnovers

CM- Joelinton – 5/10

The Newcastle midfielder struggles to assert himself in the midfield like he does for his club. He consistently struggled to win back possession or drive the ball forward and was subbed off for his low rating performance.

CAM- Matheus Cunha – 7/10

He was the only attacker who made a lasting impact as he did well to capitalize on a defensive lapse of Romero with a spectacular long-range finish.

LW- Rodrygo – 5.5/10

He had a quiet game overall and struggled to find his usual spark on the wing. His contributions to the attack were ineffective and was subbed off after the end of first half.

ST- Vinicius Jr – 6/10

While there were moments where he displayed his trademark flair, threatening the opposition with a bursting pace on the wing. But he failed to create any out-and-out meaningful chances and ended up without any goal contributions.

RW- Raphinha – 6/10

He struggled to break down the organized defense of the opposition and just like his counterpart on the other side, he also did not create any meaningful chances or get shots on target. Yet, he came closest to a second for Brazil but ultimately struck the woodwork from his free-kick.

SUB- Leo Ortiz – 6/10

He was added on to the pitch after the end of the first half to provide defensive stability to the backline

SUB- Joao Gomes – 6/10

The midfielder was added in to replace Joelinton, who was struggling. His influence on the game overall was limited.

SUB- Endrick – 5.5/10

The young attacker was put in with a hope that he could do something and ended up the night with a booking.

SUB- Savinho- 5.5/10

The wide attacker was subbed in to solidify the flank and add a new dimension to attack, which he failed to do so.

SUB- Ederson – NA

He had limited time to make an impact as he entered the pitch very late into the game.

Manager- Dorival Junior- 4/10

A very disappointing result considering the rivalry and the score line is humiliating. His side struggled to create meaningful chances and the defensive organizations of the back line was woeful.

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The Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez.