"Winning is good, but winning against Argentina is even better". The comments of renowned Brazilian Tv Globo commentator, Galvao Bueno. He will later conclude with the words," every game has its own story". For the Samba boys from Brazil, led by "golden boy" Neymar, a new story was written in the Seleccao's rebuilding path to redemption, in the wee hours of Friday morning.
Two years on, from the debacle suffered in the hands of Germany at the world cup in 2014--a crushing 7-1 defeat-- they went some way in exorcising the demons that haunted them that fateful day, against the "German machine". With Argentina the opponents coming to town, ironically, in Belo Horizonte--at the same stadia of Brazil's demoralizing loss against Germany--the stage couldn't have been set any better. The football on display from the hosts--Brazil-- mirrored their effervescent yellow and blue outfits. Slick, inventive on the ball, organised without it, eye-catching goals, this looked more like the Brazil of old, that the least interested football fan loved to watch. Featuring an attacking line-up brimming with the talents of red-hot Liverpool attacker Coutinho, young but extremely talented Gabriel Jesus, not forgetting the ever-reliable Neymar, Brazil had just too much in their Arsenal, than the army of the Albiceleste from Argentina could cope with.
After a fairly even opening twenty minutes, Coutinho opened the scoring, with his sixth international goal, rifling into the top left corner, past Argentine goalkeeper Romero, with a glorious strike, that with even with two extra goalkeepers on the line, would have been difficult to stop. They doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, and who else than the brilliant Neymar. The Barcelona striker is very much becoming the go-to man for his team these days. Claiming his 50th international goal--at just 24-- he slotted past Sergio Romero in the Argentine goal. Calm as you like. A further strike in the second half, from forgotten man, Paulinho, made put the hosts three goals up. And so it ended.
Man for the big occasion; Neymar made it 2-0, bagging his 50th international goal, in just 74 games
Two turned three, as midfielder Paulinho effectively ended the game as a contest
Out-shined; Neymar took center stag with a brilliant performance, while Barcelona teammate endured an uncharacteristic quiet outing
Together in unison; Brazil players peel off to celebrate Coutinho's opener
Together in unison; Brazil players peel off to celebrate Coutinho's opener
Not even the magic of Lionel Messi could turn the tide for his pitiful Argentine side. They were left brutally outsmarted by a merciless Brazilian team. Currently lying outside the top five qualification spots for the world cup in Russia--in 2018-- the 2014 world cup finalists are in real danger of missing out altogether from the showpiece. Filled with a team of players, most playing based on reputation, rather than form, things clearly have to change for the Albiceleste, as they are popularly called. Blessed with remarkable skillful players, such as Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Pastore, the so-called "golden generation" is in danger of being classified as "also-rans". Too many cooks spoil the broth, some will say. Seven qualifying matches remain in the South-American CONMEBOL qualifying group. Hope still beckons for the Lionel Messi spearheaded side, but hope has a limit.
Disconsolate; Messi endured a quiet evening, great to the below-par performance of his teammates, as hosts Brazil, went rampant
Lethal combo; Coutinho and Neymar were at their brilliant best
For Brazil, the roller-coaster goes on. Five wins in five games, now for new coach Tite, he has transformed the fortunes of a previously ailing and under-performing set of players. Top of the qualifying standings, with the core of his team in form, supporters now back on board, after the apathy which greeted their humiliating world cup exit on home soil in 2014, it can only get better. The journey towards Russia 2018 goes on, and for Brazil, their bus is traveling at a frightening pace. For Argentina, just how long can a nation blessed and spoiled with an abundance of footballing talents, keep on relying on pieces of magic from star man Lionel Messi, to get them through rough patches? That's the question popping up on the lips of Argentine football fans alike.
Elsewhere;
Uruguay defeated Ecuador 2-1 to stay second on the log, Colombia and Chile ended in a dour nil-nil draw, Venezuela spanked Bolivia 5-0, and Peru defeated Paraguay 4-1 away from home.
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