Neymar and Brazil arrive in Russia

The rivalry shared by Brazil and Argentina is one where football is heralded as more than a sport. It is tantamount to a religion. 

This competition has transcended borders and hit the shores of the Bay of Bengal like never before. Bangladesh has made it to Argentine national newspapers with the fanaticism and altercation between supporters of the two nations. 

How exactly did this small nation become so frenzied about a football rivalry that they would go extra miles to show their allegiance?

Argentina has two world cups in their bag, last of them coming in 1986. The country, in fact, have not won a single international trophy since their 1993 Copa America triumph, barring the gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

In a nation where football fans like to brag about their favourite team's trophy cabinet, it's interesting that so many people still have their hearts sewn with the light blue and white flag. 

Once the world cup broadcasting history is taken into account, the fog around this issue starts to settle. 

BTV first started broadcasting the World Cup in 1974. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, and came tantalisingly close in 1990, where they lost to West Germany over a controversial penalty decision. 

What drew Bangladeshi TV viewers and football fans to Argentina was a man named Diego Maradona, who needs no introduction. Nonchalantly getting past defenders, bamboozling defence lines with disguised runs and serving goals on a plate for forwards -- Maradona epitomised the notion of "one man army". 

His unrelenting personality, exemplary leadership along with his on-field tantrums and off-field antics made him a character always under the spotlight; a character, who despite all his reprehensible actions, was loved by his fans. Bangladeshis even shed tears when they saw their football hero crying relentlessly after the loss in the 1990 final.

After Maradona's departure from football, Argentine fans found it hard to replace such a gargantuan figure. Players like Gabriel Batistuta and Juan Sebastian Veron gave them a lot to cherish, but with the lack of trophies, they didn't have the bragging rights. 

And in the midst of it all, the Brazilian fanbase started to grow and gain a voice. The land of beautiful football reached three consecutive finals, winning two of them, in 1994 and 2002. The latter of which was hosted in Asia.

You don't have to delve deeper to understand this fandom. An ornate trophy cabinet comprising five world cups gave their fans a lot to be loud about. Furthermore, Brazil kept producing stars who not only dominated international tournaments but also graced club football, winning individual and continental honours regularly. Stars like the phenomenal Ronaldo Nazario, Rivaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, and Kaka embodied swagger in their respective positions.

Fans who aren't quite taken to the intricate tactics of the field could easily be mesmerised by the Jogo Bonito, the flair and the fluid passing of Brazilian football. Big names and five world cups were icings on an already scrumptious cake for the samba fanatics.

This fandom became generational as children stayed up all night with their parents, grasping very little of what was going on in that CRT TV, as they were touched by their enthusiasm, tears and jubilation -- all just for the love of a team. 

Some of those kids grew up to find their own messiahs. An alien called Lionel Messi revived the case for the Albicelestes fans and the Seleção fans found the evanescent samba in Neymar Jr. 

The rituals of flying massive flags, painting houses and streets with respective colours did not die down despite a surge in European fanbase. The Messi-Neymar duo blossomed into a meaningful relationship but the fierce rivalry between their Bangladeshi fans took a dive in Lazarus pit and rose like an untamed Ra's al Ghul.

While tomorrow's early morning clash of the two footballing giants in the Copa America final may stir up new controversies, one can be sure that the Brazil-Argentina fandoms and their fanbases in Bangladesh are far from a peace offering. 

Alavi Ashraf Eram likes to blabber about his favourite movies, songs and sports. Drop him your movie critiques at www.facebook.com/alaviashraf.eram

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Brazil fans mocked Lionel Messi and celebrated Argentina’s defeat as they were singing `Messi Ciao’ (Goodbye Messi) in St. Petersburg on Thursday night. The Selecao fans parodied the famous Spanish song Bella Ciao (O darling goodbye).

The fans are always interested about how their rivals are doing in tournaments like Copa America and the World Cup.

Lionel Messi cut a lonely figure as Argentina fell to a demoralising 3-0 defeat at the hands of Croatia at which has left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Both Brazil and Argentina drew their opening games at the 2018 World Cup. Brazilians however found something to celebrate as they mocked Argentina’s star player.

Neymar scored on his return to action after three months out through injury as Brazil warmed up for the World Cup with a 2-0 friendly win over Croatia at Anfield on Sunday.

The most expensive player in the world has been sidelined since Feb. 25, when he fractured a metatarsal and sprained his ankle playing for Paris St Germain in a French league match against Olympique de Marseille.

The former Barcelona forward, key to his country's hopes in Russia, came on as a halftime substitute and provided the moment of inspiration for win the game in the 69th minute.

Willian, impressive throughout for Brazil, picked the ball up in midfield and threaded the ball to Neymar in the inside-left channel. The 26-year-old cut inside and skipped past two defenders before blasting the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.

Neymar's goal was his 54th for his country and he needs one to reach Romario as the third most prolific Brazil striker of all time behind Pele and Ronaldo.

Another substitute, Roberto Firmino, delighted the Liverpool fans in the Anfield crowd by adding the second in stoppage-time with a well-taken lob from inside the area.

Brazil's opening game in World Cup Group E is against Switzerland and they also face Costa Rica and Serbia in the first round.

The five-times world champions have one more friendly before the tournament, against Austria in Vienna on June 10.

Dramatic late strikes by Philippe Coutinho and Neymar gave Brazil their first win of the World Cup against Costa Rica in St Petersburg on Friday and broke Central American hearts by sending them out of the tournament.

The result leaves the five-times world champions with four points from two games after they drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening match, and they provisionally rise above Serbia to top Group E.

Serbia play Switzerland later on Friday.

The clock had ticked past 90 minutes when Marcelo crossed from the left and substitute Roberto Firmino headed the ball back across goal to Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus's first touch took the ball away from the defender and Coutinho raced in to poke past Keylor Navas from six metres out and claim his second goal of the tournament.

Neymar added the second with practically the last kick of the game, racing on to Jesus's square ball following a quick counter-attack as Costa Rica were forced to push for the equaliser.

The forward, who thought he had won a penalty in the 77th minute only for the referee to reverse the decision after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR), was overcome by emotion on the whistle, covering his face as tears streamed down his cheeks.

For long periods Costa Rica's flat-back five kept Neymar on the periphery, with Johan Venegas and Cristian Gamboa both man-marking him out of the game as Brazil found it hard to carve out chances in the first half.

Marcelo's tame shot straight at Navas in the 41st minute was the first effort on target from either side before the break, and the team went into halftime with the boos and whistles of their own fans ringing in their ears.

Celso Borges spurned arguably the best chance of the first period for Costa Rica when he ran on to Gamboa's cut back but shot wide from eight metres out.

The result means Brazil have avoided the ignominy of equalling their longest winless run at the World Cup.

Brazil will look to secure top spot in Copa America Group B by winning against Columbia, who slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Peru. Securing top spot will help in reducing the chances of coming up against Lionel Messi's Argentina before the final.

Brazil will finish top of Group B should they win against Colombia and Peru fail to beat Ecuador.

Brazil coach Tite's idea however is to go along the same rotation policy that have seen them acquire six points from two matches so far but was hopeful the balance of his side will not be hindered.

"We continue with this idea in this competition, some changes," said Tite. "We hope that these changes theoretically do not modify the gear or the balance that the team has had," he added.

Brazil made six changes between the 3-0 win over Venezuela in the opening game and the 4-0 they handed to Peru afterward. Neymar started both games and scored in both.

Columbia coach Reinaldo Rueda said that the way to stop Neymar is to create dissonance in Brazil's 'circuits' in the field.

Brazil's Richarlison celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Neymar during the match against Peru. Photo: Reuters

"The defense is a collective situation and not only of the men at the back, everyone has responsibility and the premise is to reduce the offensive power of Brazil ... There are connection circuits in Brazil, not only with Neymar, and you have to identify that well and concentrate, '' Rueda evaluated.

A win will secure Colombia's place in the quarters, though a draw could be enough if Ecuador lose to Peru in the earlier game. The omens are not good for Colombia heading into the match in Rio de Janeiro. They are winless in their last four meetings with Selecao, Colombia's last victory coming in the 2015 Copa America.