Cheeky Chip

Brazil vs Argentina: The Greatest Rivalry

By Fernando Sell, writing from Brazil

You can look anywhere in the world and you will find fierce rivalries. However, there isn’t a rivalry that can be compared to a Brazil vs Argentina, known as “The Battle of South Americans”.

Even though football is the most popular sport between the two South American neighbouring countries, the rivalry is not only disputed between a football match. Since we’re born, we rapidly learn that a game against an Argentinian club or national team, even if it’s a friendly, can’t be lost as it is a question of pride.

There has not been a football match between Brazil and Argentina which has not been memorable. Even if the result is 0-0 draw, the entire 90 minutes are exceptional and always creates stir debate. A defeat can always create a crisis and this happend the last time O Canarinho played against La Albiceleste at the legendary Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires. Brazil won the match 3-1 and it put Argentina’s World Cup hopes on a string.

The balance of results in the ferocious rivalry is impressive. Although Brazil have had enjoyed the better results over the past decade (I’m sorry my fellow Argentinians, but it’s true!), they have won a total 35, Argentina victorious 33 times and 28 draws in official matches. And what exhilarating matches they were!

The clashes between us Brazillians and the “hermanos” (Brazillians call the Argentineans brothers in Spanish) are always controversial, temperamental, thrilling and unfortunately, violent between the fans sometimes. One of the most exciting matches was the Copa América final in 2004 when Adriano scored in the final seconds. This took the game to penalties which Brazil won.

It all started back in 1914 during the Copa Roca. Julio Roca, an Argentinian army general created the competition to stimulate the practice of football between youths. During the time, the environment was friendly between the two and Argentina scored a goal with their hand and even admitted it to the referee. Hironic?

The friendly environmental remained the same until 1920, when an Argentinian newspaper branded the Brazilians as “macaquitos” (monkeys in Spanish) due to their skin colour. The four black Brazilian players refused to enter the pitch so they fielded 8 men. Argentina cordially played with 8 players too. Argentina won 3-1.

Since then, the rivalry started to grow and heat up, especially after 1937. From that point in time, insults such as “macaquitos” accompanied by monkey sounds were frequently used by the Argentineans. A recent incident occurred to Brazilian striker Grafite who was constantly insulted in his São Paulo days. In 2005, his team played against Argentina’s Quilmes; after Grafite did a rough tackle to Leandro Desábato, in response the defender insulted the striker with racist remarks. After the match he was arrested by Brazilian authorities and was 40 hours in.

At the 1990 World Cup the two giants met in the round of 16 at the Stadio Delle Alpi, Turin. The game will be remembered by a famous suspicion and ‘incident’. Brazillian left back Branco claimed he felt dizzy after drinking a water bottle given to him by Miguel di Lorenzo, Argentina’s assistant coach. He also noticed that Maradona did not drink from the same bottle as him. In 2005, “El Pibe” confirmed the suspicion which caused huge controversy throughout Argentina. Miguel di Lorenzo “Galindez” continues to deny all the claims that there was any substance in the bottle.

The success of both nations can be debated by two panoramas: the World Cup and the Copa América. The Brazilians prefer to refer to the quantity of World Cup’s won, they’ve won 5 times against Argentina’s 2 (one which was won by the “Hand of God”). Also, the last time Argentina lifted the most desired trophy was at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, 24 years ago! Since then Brazil won in 1994 and 2002, the Argentinians are proud of their recent success at the Olympics where they won the football in 2004 and 2008. An Olympic gold is the only medal that has never gone around a Brazilian neck, yet. Within the continent of South America, Argentina has lifted the Copa América on 14 occasions and Brazil only 8 times. However, we must not forget that Brazil has won 4 times out of the past 5 competitions.

The matches between Brazil and Argentina are frequent and almost played annually as the rivals meet at World Cup qualification matches, the Copa América, Confederations Cup, international friendlies and of course at the World Cup! A match which not only the South Americans anticipate, but the whole world!

At the World Cup, the two teams could engage in the semi finals if one of them finishes second in their group. Or, they may even play in the final if they both finish first in group B and G. Who wouldn’t want to see them clash?