Argentina vs Brazil Live Online World Cup 2010

As we gather to watch Argentina vs Brazil live online in the World Cup 2010 qualifiers on 5th September, there will be many thoughts on our minds. While both teams' qualification hopes are in no danger of being snuffed out, there will be many other things at stake for both teams when they clash in this match which will be available via live streaming for fans outside the two countries, not least the home side. Before I go on about Diego Maradona's men, the boys from Brazil are looking very good especially in recent months. Not content with winning the Confederations Cup after a tough but deserved victory over our USA national team, Dunga will now seek to drive a stake through the hearts of their Auld Enemy. These two South American football giants have been going at each other since the beginning of football. Matches involving the two are often akin to battle scenes straight out of war films - little thought is given to actually playing football but instead to take out the key players from either side. This has become less prevalent in recent years as both Argentina and Brazil have started to produce a lot of new talent.

"We need to beat Brazil and we're going to do it" - Lionel Messi, Argentina & Barcelona

When one talks about Argentina, the first player to come to mind now would be Lionel Messi. The Barcelona playmaker has matured considerably and the team is now built around him. Even Diego Maradona has confessed that he panics whenever the player is unavailable for selection. Maradona's reputation and job will be on the line more so than ever in this match against Brazil, as he has led his fellow countrymen to some shocking losses in recent qualifiers, including a 6-1 hammering from Bolivia which they blamed on the high altitude. This time, there will be no excuses possible if he fails with tactics and hands the initiative to the Brazilians. Compared to Dunga, Maradona could actually boast of more individual talent from which to pick his best squad. There is Messi, Aguero, Tevez and Mascherano who are all hogging the limelight for their respective clubs. And it is widely acknowledged that Messi is the best player in the world at the moment, even though Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo carries the mantle currently.

As the highlights below would show, Argentina managed to hold their bitter rivals to a 0-0 draw in Belo Horizonte. The Argentinians usually lose in Brazil, but during that game, they more than held their own as they stood firm in the face of some intense pressure from Brazil. They did have some good fortune as Dunga and his players were under a lot of media speculation due to their indifferent form, while Argentina were above them in the group standings. Fast forward a few months to now and the two teams have swapped positions and roles. Brazil are now clear by a point in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group ahead of Paraguay, while Argentina are a further five points back in fourth place. The situation also clearly shows how fast the fates of teams can change in football.

After winning the Confederations Cup, Brazil have not looked back. In fact, fans are quite confident that they will leave Rosario undefeated. A point looks assured simply because they have a talisman in the side against Argentina. It is their coach Dunga. Despite constantly under pressure from the media and fans for not producing a free flowing attacking Brazilian team (until recently), Dunga has actually led his team to wins over Argentina in two of the three meetings he has seen over as coach. It will be a huge test for him too in this situation. Dunga has finally allowed more flair back into his system. Players like Robinho, Kaka, Fabiano and Elano all possess the famous Brazilian tricks and moves, while he has also given a recall to embattled striker Adriano, who appears to have found his form (but not his shape) since returning to the Brasileirao with Flamengo. Perhaps the final piece in the jigsaw would be a possible (but ultimately not likely) recall of the legendary Ronaldo.

In the end, it will be incredibly difficult to pick a winner between Argentina and Brazil for this World Cup qualifer. The best thing for us fans to do would be to simply enjoy the amazing skills the two sets of players will bring with the ball during the live match and hope that there will be plenty of goals to savor. One thing is for sure - be ready to count the number of cards handed out by the referee, because when these two South American giants meet, it is not something for the faint hearted!

With Argentina losing to Brazil, the next fixture will be crucial. Paraguay vs Argentina will be shown live online for fans who will be anxiously praying that their favorite South American team does not leave the World Cup much poorer with their absence. But with the players apparently not voicing out their disillusionment with Maradona and gritting their teeth, and Carlos Bilardo not offering any helpful advice to his boss, it might all end in tears for them. Now just imagine this - the 2010 World Cup in South Africa without two of the best players in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo and now, Lionel Messi.

Player Name (Club)

• Juan Pablo Carrizo (Zaragoza)
• Mariano Andujar (Catania)
• Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)
• Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)
• Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol)
• Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle)
• Gabriel Heinze (Marseille)
• Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan)
• Fernando Gago (Real Madrid)
• Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
• Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid)
• Jesus Datolo (Napoli)
• Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle)
• Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
• Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
• Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
• Diego Milito (Inter Milan)
• Lisandro Lopez (Lyon)
• Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

* Home based players yet to be named

Player Name (Club)

• Julio Cesar (Inter Milan)
• Victor (Gremio)
• Maicon (Inter Milan)
• Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
• Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna)
• Andre Santos (Fenerbahce)
• Luisao (Benfica)
• Miranda (Sao Paulo)
• Lucio (Inter Milan)
• Juan (Roma)
• Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos)
• Felipe Melo (Juventus)
• Lucas (Liverpool)
• Elano (Galatasaray)
• Ramires (Benfica)
• Julio Baptista (Roma)
• Kaka (Real Madrid)
• Sandro (Internacional)
• Nilmar (Villarreal)
• Robinho (Manchester City)
• Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
• Adriano (Flamengo)