Dream comes true for Brazil, Argentina fans

Football fans around the globe have been surfing the tides of sheer entertainment, the kind matched on by a World Cup, for almost a month since Euro 2020 and the 2021 Copa America began. But while both tournaments are reaching their climax, Brazil and Argentine setting up the 'dream' Copa America final has taken football fever to new heights.

The Brazil-Argentina rivalry, termed "the essence of football rivalry" by FIFA, is unparalleled in the sporting paradigm, let alone in the football world. All-time greats of the game like Pele and Maradona contributed in triggering the explosive birth of this heated rivalry and decades later, players like Lionel Messi and Neymar continue the legacy. The flame of fanaticism has not dulled a bit.

The fan base in Bangladesh has taken this rivalry to a new extreme, starting in the 1970s, when television brought matches into the public eye like never before.

Everybody is now waiting to watch Lionel Messi's Argentina face off against Neymar's Brazil on Sunday (6:00am BST) at the historic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

There can be no neutrals when it comes to a Brazil-Argentina game, such is the nature of the prevailing mentality among Bangladeshi fans. Even those who support other teams are made to take a stance.

Close friendships and even the bonds of family are sometimes on the line. The advent of social media ensured that the banter, the war-of-words and bragging rights spread like wildfire past walls, neighbourhood tea stalls and university campuses.

This pandemic has certainly restricted the showcase of expressions and its energy among fans. Gone is the possibility of watching the game in the streets in front of giant screens, victory marches on the streets after games, drum beats, music and chants. Celebration, overall, is stifled, but a few unfortunate incidents have already taken place outside the capital after the dream final became a possibility.

Brazil still hold the edge after 105 matches between the rivals, winning 41 compared to Argentina's 38. Brazil also lead Argentina 163 to 160 in terms of goals.

However, Argentina fans can point to a victory in their last encounter, a 1-0 win during a friendly in 2019. Earlier that year, Brazil had defeated Argentina 2-0 in the Copa America semifinals. Brazil also had the last laugh the last time they met their archrivals in a Copa America final, beating Argentina 3-0 in 2007, the first of Messi's four final losses in the tournament.

The last time Messi and Neymar faced each other in an international game was in 2016, when the two were teammates at Barcelona. Brazil dominated in a 3-0 win, with Neymar scoring the second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Irrespective of history and recent records, this game offers no clear favourites and neither statistics nor tactical analysis will affect the mindset of fans, who are unwilling to settle for anything less than a glorious success for their beloved team.