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
Brazil's Raphinha, center, and teammates celebrate their team's 2-1 victory over Colombia at the end of a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, March 21, 2025.(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Fans of Argentina celebrate as their team defeated Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Manchester United and Tottenham will meet in an all-English final in the Europa League on Wednesday, with both clubs hoping to end a dismal season on a high note.
The trophy will offer some relief — and Champions League qualification — for the winner, while the loser is likely to face a fresh wave of criticism.
United is unbeaten in Europe's second-tier club competition this season but is down in 16th place in the Premier League, one spot ahead of Tottenham.
Tottenham was beaten in the 2019 Champions League final by Liverpool, and has not lifted a trophy since the 2008 English League Cup. United picked up its last silverware in the 2024 FA Cup.
United coach Ruben Amorim will start the match with Mason Mount in attack, rewarding the forward for his two goals in the second leg of the semifinals against Athletic Bilbao. Manuel Ugarte returns to the bench to give way for Mount.
In defense, Amorim promoted the return of Leny Yoro, who had been out injured. He will play alongside Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw in a back line of three.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will stick with forward Richarlison in attack, and Pape Sarr will be in the midfield.
More than 50,000 English fans were expected in Bilbao. The Basque city was filled with supporters from both clubs in the buildup for the final.
Many were without tickets, but the atmosphere outside Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium was mostly peaceful.
There was fan trouble overnight, though, when supporters from both clubs confronted each other on the streets and in bars, with some throwing trash bins, bottles and other objects at each other. Some were seen climbing traffic-light poles and causing damage.
There were also Spanish media reports of confrontations in nearby towns and cities, where many of the fans were staying to avoid overpriced accommodation in Bilbao.
There were no reports of serious injuries in the clashes.
Tottenham has won all three matches it has played against United this season. It is unbeaten in six straight games against its final rival, with the last five under Postecoglou.
United and Tottenham have met in just one previous final — the 2009 League Cup when Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils won 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Tottenham striker Son Heung-min will have a chance to end his title drought and crown 10 years of service for the north London club.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Tottenham players inspect the field ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A general view of the San Mamés Stadium ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Tottenham players walk on the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
The Europa League trophy is displayed on the pitch before the final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Manchester United supporters place banners on scaffolding ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Manchester United supporters react ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Fans pose for a photo next to a giant replica of the Europa League trophy ahead of the final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Manchester United players visit the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Manchester United players visit the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
