Reigning champions Argentina have benefited from a ‘dream’ run to the World Cup final that ‘needs investigating’, enraged Brazilians have complained as the knockout rounds get under way.
Lionel Scaloni’s side topped their group with a perfect record of three wins from three to secure their safe passage to the Round of 32, where Lionel Messi and his team-mates will be tasked with overcoming tournament minnows Cape Verde.
Should they beat the underdogs in Miami, they will face the winner of Australia vs Egypt in Atlanta.
It is a rather generous combination of games compared to other leading contenders to win the tournament, with Brazil taking on dark horses Japan in Houston before facing tricky customers in Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16.
Brazilian columnist Ricardo Gonzalez, writing for leading sports outlet Globoesporte, said ‘the footballing gods’ appear to be favouring the Argentines.
‘I have no doubts: this doesn’t mean anyone has won or lost yet, nor that the giants can’t prove their worth; but, at this moment, the football gods are setting up a demanding scenario for France (technically the favourite and therefore capable of overcoming obstacles), a dramatic scenario for Portugal, and a dream scenario… for Argentina!’ he said.
Brazilians have complained about Argentina’s ‘dream’ run to the World Cup final
The headline of Gonzalez’s piece stated that the draw ‘needs to be investigated’.
A number of Brazilian football fans backed that stance, taking to social media to express their outrage at Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s demanding draw.
Should the five-time champions overcome Japan and the winner of Norway vs Ivory Coast, they could meet England in the quarter finals in Miami.
Thomas Tuchel’s side face DR Congo in the last-32 on Wednesday afternoon, before taking on the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador at the Azteca in Mexico City in the early hours of Monday morning.
The winner of the quarter final will likely face Messi’s Argentina in the semi-final in Atlanta.
The reigning champions were one of the standout performers from the group stage, with Messi proving he is still head and shoulders above his peers despite turning 39 last week.
The superstar leads the golden boot race with six goals thus far, with Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Ousmane Dembele trailing on four goals apiece.
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