Brazil predicts end to winless run in Argentina in World Cup qualifier

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Brazil predicts end to winless run in Argentina in World Cup qualifier

2025-03-25 04:09 Last Updated At：04:11

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Brazil has not won in Argentina for 16 years and hasn't scored in Argentina in 10 years.

That didn't put off Brazil striker Raphinha, who kicked off the hostilities on Monday by promising to score against the World Cup holder in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in a 2026 qualifier.

Raphinha also spoke about “kicking them” ... “on and off the pitch if needed” in a podcast with 1994 World Cup winner Romário.

Argentine media reproduced his comments widely.

Coach Lionel Scaloni tried to tamper any tensions.

“I did not go deep into that statement but I know what people told me. It is Argentina vs. Brazil, it is always an important game, but it is a game of soccer,” Scaloni said. “I remember the image of the final of the 2021 Copa America, Messi and Neymar sitting down at the Maracana Stadium. That is the image that all of us have to remember.”

Defender Marquinhos piled on by saying Brazil was set to break its 16-year winless streak in Argentina.

"It is our time to win now. It has been a while,” Marquinhos said in a press conference on Monday. "It won’t be easy, we will fight. We will have to be at our best both physically and mentally.”

Argentina, leading South America, can clinch a World Cup berth by drawing with third-placed Brazil with four rounds to spare.

The teams will meet in Monumental de Nunez Stadium without injured stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, and minus several other players due to suspension or injury.

They last met in 2023, when Argentina won 1-0 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the start of this qualifying cycle.

Brazil is one point ahead of Uruguay and Paraguay. Colombia has the sixth and final direct qualification position.

Fourth-placed Uruguay will have a chance againat Bolivia to recover from Friday's 1-0 home defeat to Argentina. If the Bolivians fail to beat the Uruguayans, Argentina will qualify for the World Cup even if it loses against Brazil.

Colombia takes on Paraguay. Ecuador will travel to 10th-placed Chile. Venezuela will host ninth-placed Peru.

Argentina also won't have injured Lautaro Martínez and the suspended Nico González.

After the 1-0 away victory against Uruguay, three players appear to have the confidence of Scaloni: Midfielders Leandro Paredes and Giuliano Simeone and striker Thiago Almada, who scored the winner. They are expected to play against Brazil, too.

Brazil will miss goalkeeper Alisson due to concussion protocols, plus the suspended Bruno Guimarães and Gabriel Magalhães. Coach Dorival Júnior said he will make six changes for the clash in Buenos Aires, including the replacement of target man João Pedro — who didn't score in the last-minute 2-1 win against Colombia — for Matheus Cunha.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Marner, Stone lead Golden Knights to 4-2 win over Blues

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had a goal and an assist in his 700th career game, Mark Stone tied the Golden Knights' record with a goal in his seventh straight game, and Vegas defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Saturday night for its third straight win.

Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore, who had been out since Dec. 13 because of an upper-body injury, also scored goals for the Golden Knights. Akira Schmid stopped 17 shots.

Robert Thomas had a goal and assist for the Blues, and Jake Neighbours scored the other goal on a power play. Jordan Binnington finished with 21 saves as St. Louis lost its third straight.

Stone kept his scoring streak alive with an empty-net goal with 2:24 left to tie the club record set by Max Pacioretty in 2021.

Blues defenseman Philip Broberg, who earlier in the day signed to a six-year, $48 million contract extension, suffered an upper-body injury just 1:35 into the game and did not return. He was hurt after Stone's check near the boards.

All three Golden Knights victories during this current streak occurred after the opponent took the early lead. Winnipeg and Columbus each took 2-0 leads and St. Louis was up 1-0. The Golden Knights improved to 9-8-7 in when their opponent scores first.

After Thomas gave the Blues their early lead 53 seconds into the first period, Vegas tied it at 7:34 when Marner put in his own rebound. Goals by Eichel and Theodore in the second period put the Golden Knights ahead 3-1.

This is Marner's first season with the Golden Knights after he was acquired in a sign-and-trade with Toronto on July 1. Teammate Keegan Kolesar, who has been with the Golden Knights all seven of his seasons, appeared in his 400th game.

Blues: Host Carolina on Tuesday.

Golden Knights: At San Jose on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl