Another Messi show: Argentina face Brazil and these are the starting lineups

This Tuesday the most interesting match of the November international break will be played. Millions of fans around the world will sit in front of their TVs to enjoy one of the most important rivalries in soccer: Brazil vs Argentina. The South American giants will meet at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro for the sixth match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

So far, the world champions have achieved better results and shown more convincing performances. That is why they lead the standings with 12 points. The Brazilians have struggled. In October they drew 1-1 vs Venezuela at home and then lost 2-0 against Uruguay in Montevideo. And last Thursday they suffered another tough loss, 2-1 vs Colombia in Barranquilla.

Coach Fernando Diniz has had trouble putting together the team, as many important players are injured, such as Neymar, Vinicius, Casemiro, Eder Militao and Richarlison. But he relies on other stars, such as Rodrygo Goes, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

Brazil's starting lineup will be: Alisson; Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Carlos Augusto; Andre, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus. In addition, the substitutes will be Lucas Perri, Bento, Nino, Renan Lodi, Bremer, Raphael Veiga, Douglas Luiz, Joelinton, Paulinho, Pepe, Joao Pedro and Endrick.

They want to remain leaders

If they do not want to depend on other results, Argentina need to win to finish 2023 as the only leaders of the South American qualifiers. That is why coach Lionel Scaloni decided to include most of the stars in the starting lineup: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis MacAllister, Giovani Lo Celso; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez. On the bench will be Franco Armani, Juan Musso, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Nicolás Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Gonzalez, Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez.