LSB: ISSUE 7

BRAZIL vs ARGENTINA
November 10th, 2016 6:45 PM EST
Estadio Mineiro, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

For Americans, today is one of the most important and anticipated days in the 2016 calendar year, Election Day!  Election Day not only provides us with the revealing of the country’s 45th President, but also gives millions of Americans across the country a renewed hope and excitement for a better tomorrow, that’s of course if your candidate wins.  Conversely, if you are one the many millions that stay up to see his/her side lose, then an immediate sinking feeling of despair and disappointment is sure to come over oneself.  This ladies and gentleman, are the feelings that will be shared amongst the rabid fans, players, and coaches involved in what can be deemed as the most heated footballing rivalry west of the Atlantic.  Its none other than Brazil vs Argentina!  I will set the stage with historical facts, and top player personnel that will be sure to perform this upcoming Thursday!

BRAZIL vs ARGENTINA

As aforementioned, this match pits South America’s fiercest rivals against each other in Belo Horizonte (Beautiful Horizon), Brazil.  What a befitting backdrop as we should get to see the best that the “beautiful game” has to offer.  Brazil, founders of the “beautiful game”, kings of the trophy cabinet (5 World Cups, Most All-Time and 8 South American Titles, 3rd All-Time), and perhaps most notable, is home to the legendary Pele.  Argentina, princes of the pitch (2 World Cups and 14 South American Titles, Second Most All-Time), home to legendary Maradona, and again perhaps most noteworthy, the country is currently led by the Best Player to lace up a pair of boots in Lionel Messi!  A rich history of Continental and Global excellence runs through the veins of these culturally divided neighbors as they aim to one up the each other every time out, and Thursday’s World Cup Qualifying match will be no different.

The hosts Brazil will look to push the pace with an incredibly young talented trio up front in Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa, Gabriel Jesus, and the electrifying Neymar Santos Jr.  Neymar is Brazil’s best player and Captain of this past Summer Games’ Gold Medal Winning squad.  He is just 24 yrs of age, but already has scored 94 goals for FC Barcelona in just over 3 seasons.  Therefore, expect Ney to get the magic going for the Selecao with his silky smooth skills as he’s likely to play either creator for the Gabriels and/or finisher by the game’s end.  The added work that the front three had with each other during the Olympics appears to be paying dividends as Brazil moved from the middle of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Standings to currently first, and a big reason for that is this cohesive front three.

As for Argentina, they have been considered the #1 team in the world for over a year now, thanks in part to three consecutive seasons of reaching a major title final.  Unfortunately for them, they came up short each time, losing 1-0 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, 0-0 on Penalties in the 2015 Copa America to Chile, in Chile, and then this past summer here in the States 0-0 on Penalties to Chile again. (It should be noted that a match that reaches penalties is officially deemed a tie according to FIFA rules).  With that said, the reason for the Albeceleste being a model of consistency is that they have Leo Messi!  The five time Ballon d”Or recipient and Argentine Career Top Goalscorer is expected to dazzle by setting up his teammates, most likely Aguero or Higuin for high quality chances. And when the moment is necessary, Messi will take matters into his own hands and provide us with a jaw dropping dribble and fancy finish. 

LSB PREDICTION:

Even though Brazil is at home, Argentina sitting just 5th in the Standings needs this match more.  Therefore, thanks to a healthy Messi, and a stroke or two of his genius, the Albecelste wins this one in the Beautiful Brazilian Horizon. 2-1 ARGENTINA