A bola que era redonda demais

worldcupreport:

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!

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