The rivalry between Argentina and Brazil has lengthy been considered one of soccer’s most intense, full of ardour, drama, and moments that outline generations. The most recent conflict between these South American giants within the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers was no totally different, however this time, the stress was heightened even earlier than a ball was kicked.
The build-up to the match was dominated by controversial feedback from Brazil’s Raphinha, whose daring claims set the stage for an emotionally charged encounter. The Barcelona winger confidently predicted a Brazilian victory, dismissing Argentina’s standing as world champions. However when the ultimate whistle blew, it was the Albiceleste who had delivered the beating, working out 4-1 winners in Buenos Aires.
As Argentina’s gamers celebrated a assertion victory, the main target rapidly turned to their boss Lionel Scaloni, who had a response of his personal to Raphinha’s pre-match bravado—delivered in simply 5 phrases.
Argentina crushes Brazil on the pitch
Brazil’s night time at El Monumental rapidly became a nightmare. Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone all discovered the again of the web, humiliating the Seleção in a recreation that left their gamers pissed off and their followers shocked.
Raphinha, the person on the heart of the pre-match controversy, endured a troublesome night time. After Brazil’s defeat, feelings boiled over as he was concerned in a heated altercation with Emiliano Martinez and Leandro Paredes. As he walked towards the tunnel, the goalkeeper seemingly bumped him on objective, resulting in an change of phrases with Paredes. Raphinha tried to confront his Argentine opponents, however teammate Endrick restrained him, pulling him away earlier than the scenario escalated additional.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply Argentina’s gamers who had one thing to say. The residence followers additionally made their voices heard, mocking the Brazilian winger with chants that echoed by means of the stadium. Through the second half, as Dorival Junior’s gamers cruised to victory, the group broke out right into a mocking chant directed on the Barcelona star, referencing his pre-match statements.
The mantra, which roughly interprets to “Put Raphinha in, you son of a b**,”** rapidly went viral on social media, with movies exhibiting hundreds of followers singing in unison, taunting the Brazilian winger for his failed prediction.
Scaloni’s five-word response to Raphinha
After the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was requested about Raphinha’s pre-game feedback and whether or not they had motivated his crew. Quite than fueling the fireplace, Scaloni took a extra measured strategy, dismissing the concept that Argentina’s efficiency was a direct response to the Brazilian’s phrases.
“Whether or not there have been statements or not, each groups would have performed in their very own model,” Scaloni mentioned. “Raphinha is defending his nation, and I don’t consider there’s any intention to hurt anybody.”
His response—”Raphinha is defending his nation”—served as a conciliatory gesture, defusing the stress relatively than including to it. Scaloni’s calm demeanor stood in stark distinction to the fiery environment surrounding the sport, reinforcing his perception that soccer ought to stay a sport of respect, regardless of the fierce rivalry.
Past the person battle between the ex-Premier League star and La Albiceleste, Scaloni centered on the crew’s total efficiency, praising the collective effort that led to such a dominant victory. “It was a collective victory as a result of we performed as one crew, and that’s why we succeeded in narrowing the hole with Brazil,” he mentioned. “It’s the one technique to overcome these gamers.”
