Brazil vs Argentina live score, result, updates, highlights from CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying rivalry match

Two South American giants reeling from injuries and poor results meet at the famed Maracana in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday with far more on the line than they thought.

Both Brazil and Argentina are coming off losses in their previous match, an incredible rarity for two teams that both navigated 2022 qualification without a single defeat across 17 matches.

Brazil are in worse shape, with just two wins over their first five matches of the current qualifying cycle, suffering their first-ever qualifying defeat to Colombia last time out, dropping them to fifth in the standings. They also lost star forward Vinicius Jr to a serious injury in the process, just a month after Neymar suffered a long-term knee injury as well.

Argentina, meanwhile, saw their perfect start to qualifying torn down in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay at home. The two goals conceded were their first given up since the 2022 World Cup final, and it marked just the second time ever that both Brazil and Argentina were defeated in World Cup qualifying on the same day.

The Sporting News is following the Brazil vs Argentina match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Brazil vs Argentina live score

Score Goal scorers Brazil — — Argentina — —

Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. local (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
Location: Maracana Stadium (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Referee: Piero Maza Gomez

Starting lineups:

Brazil (4-3-3, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, C. Augusto — Guimaraes, Rodrygo, Andre — Raphinha, G. Jesus, Martinelli.

Argentina (4-4-2, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna — Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul, Lo Celso — Messi, Alvarez.

Brazil vs Argentina live updates, highlights, commentary

30 mins to kickoff: Argentina may very well have to win this match to stay atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings. Marcelo Bielsa has Uruguay on an absolute tear, having already beaten both Argentina and Brazil.

They have already kicked off at home against Bolivia, and just 15 minutes in Darwin Nunez has scored another exceptional goal to give them a 1-0 lead in Montevideo. A win tonight would give Uruguay the table’s top spot, unless Argentina match that to stay at the summit.

— Fanatiz (@Fanatiztv) November 21, 2023

45 mins to kickoff: Lineups are in, and Lionel Messi starts for Argentina in a 4-4-2, which deviates from Lionel Scaloni’s usual 4-3-3 deployment. Gio Lo Celso comes into the midfield, with Nico Gonzalez withdrawn.

For Brazil, Gabriel Jesus is deployed up front alongside Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli, while Endrick will have to wait for his first international start.

Gabriel Jesus STARTS for Brazil against Argentina.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães also start. 🇧🇷✅ pic.twitter.com/xU8N0qWClZ

— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) November 21, 2023

1 hour to kickoff: CONMEBOL yesterday announced the venues for the 2024 Copa America opening match and final. The final will be held in Miami, Florida, where one-third of the Argentine population in the United States resides. If these two teams end up meeting in that match, as they did three years ago, it could be a relatively sizable home-field advantage for the Albiceleste.

MORE: Get the latest on everything we know about the 2024 Copa America venues here

The 2024 Copa America final will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on July 14 🌴 pic.twitter.com/dHcXnfeoPN

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2023

1 hour 15 mins to kick: While Brazil struggle with so many injuries, today is a massive opportunity for young attacking players Endrick and Joao Pedro. The former, just 17 years old, stuck some extra needle in this tie by saying he preferred Cristiano Ronaldo to today’s opponent Lionel Messi, a sensible decision having just joined Real Madrid.

A photo of a young Endrick pointing at a poster of then-Palmeiras prospect Gabriel Jesus has been making the rounds, and now he may get his chance to deputize as the main man up front. If not, he will surely see time off the bench.

🥺 Cuando te digan que no podés cumplir tus sueños, mostrales esta foto de Endrick junto a Gabriel Jesús. 🫂🇧🇷

La ilusión de un pequeño, se hace realidad… 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CWdQpErqWL

— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) November 21, 2023

1 hour 30 mins to kick: It’s often the case that we know the likely starting lineup for Argentina even up to a day or two before the match. This time, though, head coach Lionel Scaloni has gone with a different tactic — he’s decided not to tell even his players until they arrive at the stadium. Team news to come in 30 minutes.

Lionel Scaloni le dará el 11 inicial en el Vestuario del Maracaná. El plantel sale de la concentración sin saber el equipo 🇦🇷

— Damian Villagra (@DamianAvillagra) November 21, 2023

1 hour 45 mins to kick: The last time these two teams faced off at the famed Maracana, it was a milestone moment for Lionel Messi, who secured his elusive first major international trophy by winning the Copa America final in July 2021.

With no fans in attendance, Angel Di Maria’s 22nd minute goal was enough to snag a 1-0 victory and give Argentina the title.

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 21, 2023

2 hours to kickoff: While always a thrilling affair, the match between Brazil and Argentina usually has little tangible bearing on the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, as both are often sitting in comfortable positions. With the World Cup expansion seeing more teams reach the final tournament this cycle, it was expected that this match would have even less competitive meaning.

Yet now, with Argentina sitting precariously atop the standings and Brazil languishing down in fifth, there’s far more than simply pride on the line at the Maracana tonight.

The CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Group Table.

6 teams will make qualify to the competition directly and the 7th placed team will join one team each from AFC, CAF, and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Ecuador has 3 points deducted for using a… pic.twitter.com/E2zrPNlCPU

— BetKing Nigeria 👑 (@BetKingNG) November 21, 2023

Brazil vs Argentina lineups, team news

The major news for Brazil is a knee injury that forced attacker Vinicius Jr out of the Colombia game during the first half and could keep the Real Madrid livewire out until 2024. Manchester United midfielder and Brazil captain Casemiro is out of the squad with a hamstring problem. The Selecao are also without Neymar due to a long-term knee injury.

Ederson pulled out of the squad injured, so Liverpool’s Alisson starts in goal again.Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus missed the Colombia game with a hamstring issue, but returns to full fitness in this match, meaning young Endrick will have to wait for his first international start.

Brazil starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, C. Augusto — Guimaraes, Rodrygo, Andre — Raphinha, G. Jesus, Martinelli.

Brazil subs (12): Bento (GK), Perri (GK), Bremer, Nino, R. Lodi, D. Luiz, Veiga, Paulinho, Joelinton, Pepe, J. Pedro, Endrick.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho didn’t make the Argentina squad, which is a sign of how much strength in depth manager Lionel Scaloni can call upon.

Lionel Messi, as expected, start in a free role alongside Julian Alvarez in a 4-4-2, with the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez tasked with covering the ground behind him. Gio Lo Celso is recalled for his first start since before the 2022 World Cup, as he add an extra midfielder in place of winger Nico Gonzalez.

Argentina starting lineup (4-4-2): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna — Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul, Lo Celso — Messi, Alvarez.

Argentina subs (12): Armani (GK), Musso (GK), Tagliafico, Pezzella, Montiel, G. Rodriguez, Paredes, Palacios, Ocampos, N. Gonzalez, Di Maria, L. Martinez.

How to watch Brazil vs Argentina

Here’s how to watch this World Cup Qualifier across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

Region TV Streaming USA Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo Vix Canada —

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UK — bet365 Australia — — India — — Hong Kong — — Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3 Astro Go, sooka Singapore — — New Zealand — — International — bet365, Fanatiz