Brazil will beat Argentina up in World Cup qualifier says Raphinha

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil forward Raphinha has spiced up their highly anticipated World Cup qualifying clash away to Argentina on March 25 (March 26, Singapore time),by guaranteeing he will score and suggesting the match between the bitter rivals will become more physical than it should be.

“We’ll beat them up... Absolutely! Beat them up! On the pitch and off the pitch if we have to,” the Barcelona star said in an interview on Romario TV with the great.

“For sure, I’m going to (score a goal against Argentina). I’m going in with everything I’ve got...”

Brazil have not beaten the Argentinians in six years, a run that extends to 16 years for matches held in Argentina, who lead the South American qualifying table with 28 points, six ahead of second-placed Ecuador and seven clear of Brazil in third.

Argentina had tightened their grip on top spot after a 1-0 win over Uruguay on March 21, while a late 2-1 victory over Colombia the previous day helped the Selecao return to winning ways.

Coach Dorival has also urged his charges to “go out there to win, to play our best football and beat them at their ground”.

While Raphinha’s comments caused an uproar in Argentina, with local media calling his “harsh words” a threat, the world champions’ coach Lionel Scaloni played down the rivalry with Brazil and decided not to add more fuel to the fire.

“Warriors on the pitch, good friends off of it,” he told a press conference later on March 24. “I didn’t go much deeper into players’ statements but I’m aware of it.

“Argentina versus Brazil is an important match but it is still a football match. It doesn’t have to go beyond that.

“I remember the image of Leo (Messi) with Neymar after the