Scaloni's history makers hand Brazil their first-ever home loss in a World Cup qualifying game

Slowly but surely, Maracana could become Lionel Scaloni's favourite playground. Nearly two and a half years ago, he secured the Copa America title for Argentina against Brazil, and late last night, he once again saddened the Selecao, inflicting their first-ever home defeat in the World Cup qualifiers – 1-0 to the visitors.

It was a historic loss, as Brazil had never experienced defeat at home in World Cup qualifiers. They had played 64 matches on their own ground, only drawing 13 times and boasting 51 victories until Argentina came to Maracana to break that streak. And not just that but also to take the lead in head-to-head games. Until this clash, both national teams had 39 victories each. Still, from this night forward, the Gauchos have one more - thanks to Nicolas Otamendi, who made the difference with a towering header in Rio de Janeiro.

The trouble in the stands and on the field marked the prelude to the South American classic, delaying the start of the match for almost half an hour, nearly spoiling the football spectacle. The nerves from the fan-induced turmoil seemed to spill onto the pitch. For nearly an hour of play, we saw precious little quality because nobody seemed to focus on the ball. It was a relentless battle, with duels at every corner and challenges worthy of yellow cards and maybe even red. It all seemed to lead to a goalless draw until Otamendi descended from above and delivered a lethal header from around ten metres out.

That header might sting Fernando Diniz. Chaotic football that earned him the Copa Libertadores trophy nearly twenty days ago with Fluminense seems not to be working for the Brazilian national team. If fans thought that fireworks against Bolivia in his debut match would set a tone, they were greatly mistaken. After that match, Brazil only managed a minimal victory over Peru. They secured just one point against Venezuela in Rio in the following four games. The loss against Argentina was their third in a row. Selecao hadn't experienced such a streak in over two decades.

It's not just about the numbers, which certainly don't favour Diniz, but also the team's performance on the field. After a long time, Brazil simply doesn't resemble Brazil – the team that mesmerizes with attractive football and scores plenty of goals. With Vinicius, Neymar, and Rodrigo, as was the case a month ago in Uruguay or this time around in Rio, missing their two key players. Also, the defensive situation isn't any better. After six rounds, Selecao conceded seven goals after six rounds, two more than in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign. Diniz is only the interim national team coach - and it seems interim is all he will get.

The first half flew by with many breaks in play and rough fouls. The referee blew the whistle 22 times by halftime, issuing three yellow cards, all to Brazilians. Shots on target? Just one. However, that single shot could have made a difference at halftime. In the closing moments of the first half, Gabriel Martinelli collected the ball after Emiliano Martínez punched away a corner kick. The Arsenal winger was left with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Cristian Romero read the play excellently and prevented Martinelli from converting a great chance.

In his ninth appearance wearing the national team colours, Gabriel Martinelli turned from hero to zero. His namesake, Jesus, did most of the work, skillfully dribbling past three defenders and then setting up Martinelli. Still, the latter shot directly at Martinez in a one-on-one situation.

The punishment was swift and arrived very soon. Only five minutes after Martinelli squandered his second chance, Otamendi gave Argentina the decisive lead. Giovani Lo Celso delivered a corner kick, and the Benfica defender leapt between Gabriel Magalhaes and Nina and directed his header so accurately that even the fantastic Alisson couldn't reach it.

The Argentinians did almost nothing in front of the opponent's goal, neither before nor after that goal. Lionel Messi left the game ten minutes before the end due to what seemed like a minor injury, and he didn't contribute much to the team's offence. Diniz tried to change the course of the game with substitutions in the second half, but he failed. Moreover, the match ended with one player less for Brazil as Newcastle United's Joelinton received a red card ten minutes before the end for a reckless challenge on Rodrigo De Paul.

With this victory, Argentina returned to the top of the table and maintained the lead on the FIFA rankings, as France drew against Greece on Tuesday and missed the opportunity to surpass them.

SOUTH AMERICAN WORLD CUP QUALIFICATIONS

Tuesday

Paraguay - Colombia 0-1 (0-1)

/Borre 11 pen/

Wednesday

Ecuador - Chile 1-0 (1-0)

/Mena 21/

Uruguay – Bolivia 3-0 (2-0)

/Nunez 15, 71, Villamil 39 og/

Brazil - Argentina 0-1 (0-0)

/Otamendi 63/

Peru - Venezuela 1-1 (1-0)

/Jotun 17 - Savarino 54/