There will be two minutes added on at the end of this match.
89'
The gulf in class between these two sides has been shocking. These fans in Belo Horizonte are singing once again, after spending the last two years gravely remembering that night the locals refer to as "the 7-1."
87'
Thiago Silva enters the game and replaces Miranda.
Running more time off the clock now are Brazil, with their third substitution, as this one fizzles out to a close. Thiago Silva comes on here to replace Miranda.
85'
Douglas Costa enters the game and replaces Philippe Coutinho.
FIRMINO'S MISSED IT! Sumptuous build-up play from the hosts, as a string of terrific passes sees Renato played through on the right, before sending a ball across for Firmino at the far post, but the substitute can't get the required contact to knock it into the empty net!
A second Brazil change sees Douglas Costa comes on to replace Coutinho.
84'
L. Biglia gets yellow.
A cynical tug of the shirt there from Biglia to stop a Brazil counter, and that sees him into the book.
82'
Roberto Firmino enters the game and replaces Gabriel Jesus.
Brazil's first change sees Roberto Firmino replace Gabriel Jesus.
81'
STAT: This is the eighth time these two South American rivals are meeting in a World Cup qualifying match. Brazil hold the edge with three victories to Argentina’s two (D2).
79'
SO VERY CLOSE! Superb, driving run from Paulinho who plays Neymar through brilliantly. The forward rounds Romero, but his final touch is just too heavy as he takes away the angle for a shot, eventually running the ball behind for a goal-kick! You would fancy him to be scoring from there.
77'
Clever bit of play from Neymar, flicking the ball over a defender and nearly poking it through Romero to play himself through on goal, but the keeper just manages to get a piece of it to deny him! Regardless, at the risk of speaking too soon, there doesn't appear to be any way back for Argentina.
75'
Brazil are so calm and collected at the back, and have been throughout. With the exception of a pair of Miranda fouls outside the area, and a Biglia effort from range, there hasn't been any threat to Alisson's goal. It's been a defensive clinic put on here by Brazil, with Fernandinho also earning plaudits for the exceptional cover he has been providing.
Minute
Description
73'
STAT: Argentina have lost just one of their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches away from home (W5, D6).
71'
Á. Correa enters the game and replaces Á. Di María.
Routine save for Alisson, who makes a simple catch at his near post to thwart Messi's effort. That's very poor from the Barcelona forward once again.
A second change here for Argentina as Angel Correa comes on to replace Di Maria, who has been invisible tonight.
70'
Miranda fouls Aguero on the edge of the box and once again Argentina will have a chance from the ensuing free-kick. If they are to have any hope of a comeback, they have to score here, trailing by three with 20 minutes remaining.
68'
NEARLY THROUGH FOR FOUR! Terrific last-ditch intervention from Zabaleta, sliding in to thward Neymar at the vital moment, when it looked like the forward was through on goal, beyond Otamendi! This is some dreadful defending from Argentina, Zabaleta aside, who look disinterested.
66'
Otamendi has to be very careful! This is all too reckless from the centre-half, who looks like he wants no part of the final 25 minutes. Already on a yellow, he goes straight through the back of Gabriel, conceding a free-kick, but the referee lets him escape with a final warning. No margin for error for Otamendi going forward.
64'
STAT: Brazil are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches against Argentina, dating back to June 2005 – a 3-1 qualifying defeat in Buenos Aires. Hernan Crespo scored a brace and Juan Roman Riquelme added another, with Roberto Carlos’ tally providing little consolation late on.
63'
N. Otamendi gets yellow.
Tempers flairing here and Argentina the culprits yet again, with Otamendi this time committing a reckless challenge that sees him into the referee's book.
60'
Brazil certainly excorcising their demons. They've returned to the scene of their darkest hour, two years after the fact, and are dismantling a toothless Argentina side. What a night for them to put the past where it belongs.
58'
Paulinho has scored a goal for Brazil! Assist by Renato Augusto.
Renato the architect on this occasion and he picks up the assist.
WELL NOW IT'S THREE! Paulinho makes no mistake this time, again capitalising on some dreadful defending to get on the end of Renato's pass and hammer a ball past Romero at the far post, with the aid of a slight deflection! Brazil on their way to a 7-1 of their own, perhaps.
56'
R. Funes Mori gets yellow.
A tackle worthy of the occasion, it must be said, as Funes Mori sends Neymar somersaulting to the ground with a ferocious challenge which sees him into the book. Easy decision for the referee.
54'
CALAMITY IN DEFENCE! Argentina all over the place at the back, with Funes Mori and Otamendi making a real mess of things to allow Paulinho through. The midfielder rounds Romero and thinks he has the third, but rolls a tame effort at goal that Mascherano is able to get back and clear off the line! Paulinho needed to put some power behind that!
52'
Argentina have looked better in this second half, with the extra forward providing more width in attack. It's allowed Messi to drift to the right, with Aguero now partnering Higuain in the centre and Di Mara in a more advanced position on the left.
50'
HAS TO BE BETTER! Signs of life from Argentina, but they're not in a position to be squandering chances. Zabaleta is played through on the right and has plenty of options to aim at in the centre, but can't pick out the necessary final ball as Alisson collects the danger!
48'
Marcelo gets yellow.
Too easy for Neymar! Zabaleta simply can't keep pace with the attacker, who sprints forward in a straight line, blowing beyond the full-back before sending a low cross in for Gabriel, but the striker's first-time effort is bundled wide at the near post.
Back the other way come Argentina in a hurry, and Aguero is tripped up by Marcelo, who is issued a yellow card.
46'
S. Agüero enters the game and replaces E. Pérez.
Argentina make one change at the break, a necessary one at that, as striker Sergio Aguero comes on to replace Perez, who offered next to nothing going forward in the first half.
A Brazil side in high spirits gets this second half underway...
45' +2
HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 2-0 ARGENTINA.
45' +1
Neymar has scored a goal for Brazil! Assist by Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel picks up the assist for his perfecly weighted throughball.
BRAZIL DOUBLE THEIR LEAD ON THE STROKE OF HALF-TIME! Talk about a dagger to the back! It's a long way back for Argentina now! Perfectly timed run from Neymar who is played clean through on goal by Gabriel, and he makes no mistake, coolly slotting the ball past Romero to send Brazil dancing into the break.
45'
There will be one minute added on at the end of this first half.
43'
DECENT DELIVERY! Di Maria and Mas link-up neatly along the left. The full-back threads a glancing delivery across the face of goal, but Higuain holds up his run in the centre and it goes begging as a result. That's the first time we've seen the width from Argentina, though, which is something they should look to build off going forward.
41'
STAT: Tite has won all four of his matches at Brazil manager, with the Selecao outscoring their opponents 12-1 in that span.
39'
OFF THE POST! Terrific running from Neymar on the break, making quick work of Mascherano as he bursts into the area and carves out space for a shot. The angle proves a bit too tight in the end, however, as he tries to force one in at the near post, but sends it off the outside of the woodwork and behind.
37'
Plenty of anticipation but ultimately disappointment for Messi in the end. His free-kick crashes straight into the wall before the follow-up from Biglia is also blocked. With chances few and far between, they can't afford to be squandering these opportunities.
35'
Real chance forthcoming for Argentina! Messi is onside as he gets onto the end of a ball over the top. He cuts inside on his left before being clearly fouled by Miranda, just a few yards outside the area, very close to the centre. This is close to an ideal spot for Messi to go for goal...
33'
The match is being played at close to a walking pace right now. Argentina have been very underwhelming in possession, and have struggled mightily to navigate passage into the final third. Brazil remain well-organised off the ball and frustration is ostensibly starting to build for the visitors.
31'
Important from Otamendi! Alves gives Neymar a ball to feast on, playing a diagonal throughball in for the forward. He has just one man to beat, but that defender is Otamendi, who shows great athleticism to close down in a hurry and prevent Neymar so much as a glimpse at goal.
29'
STAT: Argentina lost to Paraguay in their last match. They have not lost successive qualifiers, in the same campaign, since September 2009 – defeats to Paraguay and Brazil.
27'
You can really see why Coutinho is the early favourite for the Premier League player of the year. He's been in scintillating form for Liverpool and it's carried over to his country. It's a rare moment of quality in a first half that has otherwise been starved of any real talking points, and it's enough to give Brazil the lead.
25'
Philippe Coutinho has scored a goal for Brazil! Assist by Neymar.
Assist to Neymar, but that was all in the individual brilliance of Coutinho.
WORLD CLASS FINISH FROM A WORLD CLASS PLAYER! When you're in this sort of form, you really can't miss! Coutinho only has one thing on his mind as he picks the ball up on the left. He quickly scampers forward before cutting into the centre, on his right foot, and drives a sensational finish into the top corner from the edge of the box! Absolutely stunning!
24'
Well, it came like a flash and left like a flash. Any hope of a pick up in tempo following the chance is short-lived as Brazil quickly assert themselves in possession and patiently pass it around amongst their defenders near the halfway line. This is some good, patient building, though.
22'
EXCELLENT SAVE! Alas, the first scoring chance arrives just past the 20-minute mark, and it's a good one at that. Biglia hammers a half-volley towards the far corner from 20 yards, but Alisson dives across to keep it out at full-stretch!
20'
The atmosphere has been sucked out of the stadium as the fans still await the first chance of the match. Argentina have struggled for goals in qualifying, so perhaps it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that opportunities have been limited in this match, given they have enjoyed the greater share of possession.
18'
STAT: Brazil (95) and Argentina (103) are the two teams with the least shots faced (including blocks) in these WC Qualifiers.
16'
He's walking a tight line, Fernandinho. Messi gets his first chance to really run with the ball, as he starts his side forward on a counter, before being tripped up and fouled by the Brazil midfielder at the halfway line. Fernandinho is already on a yellow, but the referee takes pity on him this time - and it's a good decision, as there wasn't a whole lot in that.
14'
Neither side has been able to get into much of a rhythm, with a wealth of stoppages, mostly due to fouls, consistently disrupting the run of play. Normally this is where the commentator would say the game is in need of a goal to open it up, but at this point a shot on target would be a start.
12'
It's all been rather pedestrian thus far from Brazil, who have struggled to spend any extended time in possession. For the most part it has been a midfield battle thus far, but it is Argentina who have enjoyed a distinct advantage in that regard.
10'
STAT: Brazil has scored in the first 15 minutes of each of their last three qualifiers.
8'
The frantic tempo has fizzled out a bit as Argentina start to take control of possession, but are being kept to the periphery by Brazil's physical approach. It's quite the intriguing midfield battle going on, with Messi dropping deep to provide an option for Mascherano and Biglia. The lack of creativity included in midfield is going to dilute Argentina's approach a bit.
6'
Fernandinho gets yellow.
Fernandinho is issued an early yellow card, which has to be a bit of a worry for a character who plays with the sort of fire that he does. He gets his elbow up into the face of Messi and the referee does not prove to be forgiving.
4'
The distance proves too much for Messi, who does go for goal, but can't get it through the mess of bodies atop the area, before Brazil clear.
3'
Eager start from both sides, looking to push the pace and get into attack, like only they can. It's fast-paced, if not exciting football at times in the early going, though we still away the first attempt on goal, and it may come here as Argentina win a free-kick about 35 yards from goal.
1'
IT'S BRAZIL, IT'S ARGENTINA, AND IT'S UNDERWAY IN THE MINEIRAO!
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Mineirao for the latest chapter in international football’s greatest and most storied rivalry, as Brazil host Argentina.
Brazil are flying-high under Tite, but tonight they return to the scene of their darkest hour, back in Belo Horizonte for the first time in more than two years since the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany – a night they have been running from ever since.
They can ill-afford to have the harrowing memories of that summer night in 2014 cloud their focus and halt the momentum they’ve gathered since Tite’s appointment. Heartbreak appears to have translated into motivation, with players aiming to “rewrite history” upon their return tonight.
Argentina’s road to Russia 2018 has some architectural flaws, and as a result they sit on the outside of the qualification spots, looking in, with two massive fixtures looming against Brazil and Colombia.
Edgardo Bauza’s side will not hit the panic button just yet, but their position in the table and recent form certainly elicits some reason for concern – as does a 2-2 draw with Peru and 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in the last round of qualifiers.
That being said, when Brazil and Argentina meet, form tends to go out the window. Fire and passion takes centre-stage between South America’s giants and tonight should be no different.
Brazil welcome Neymar back after the Barcelona missed the Venezuela match with a head injury. He assumes his usual place on the left, replacing Willian, flanking striker Gabriel Jesus along with Philippe Coutinho. Fernandinho and Paulinho will try and take space away from Lionel Messi, as they line-up deeper in midfield, with Renato Augusto higher up to provide support for the front three.
Lionel Messi returns for Argentina and will take up a central position tonight, dropping just in behind striker Gonzalo Higuain, who leads the line. It's otherwise a rather defensive team selection from Bauza. Angel di Maria will provide attacking support on the left flank, but on the right it's Enzo Perez who is included in the team, likely to lend a hand to Pablo Zabaleta in keeping out Neymar.
Javier Mascherano also plays in midfield, sure to provide consistent help and protection for the back four, with Lucas Biglia a surprise inclusion, having just returned from injury. Paulo Dybala is a long-term absentee, but Sergio Aguero is available again off the bench.
Plenty of passion greets the playing of our two national anthems, in front of a spirited crowd here in Belo Horizonte, eager for the Selecao to rid the bad taste in their mouth, still lingering from that dark night in July 2014.
Philippe Coutinho sent a thunderbolt into the top corner to give Brazil the lead, before Neymar doubled the advantage just before the interval, dealing a real blow to Argentina's hopes of a comeback. It was a first half bereft of much excitement, save for two moments of brilliance, both provided by the home side, who have a commanding lead to show for it in the latest edition of the Superclasico.
FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 3-0 ARGENTINA.
That's all for our live coverage from the Mineirao, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Philippe Coutinho started the party for Brazil with his wonderful solo effort, before goals from Neymar and Paulinho added to Argentina's misery on a memorable night for the Selecao on their return to Belo Horizonte for the first time since the 7-1 defeat to Germany more than two years ago.
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