Argentina-Brazil football clash off after deluge

A torrential downpour in Buenos Aires left the Monumental pitch underwater, and the decision was taken to call off the game 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off.

Argentina and Brazil’s World Cup qualifying clash was postponed on Thursday after heavy rain made play impossible.

Argentina meanwhile had been looking to bag their first win of the qualifying campaign after taking only one point from their first two matches last month.

Argentina, missing a glut of injured stars including Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, started the stronger against a Brazil side who welcomed back suspended striker Neymar. It was Uruguay’s first loss after opening South American qualifying with two victories.

Brazil has four points from three games.

Colombia played at Chile in a late match and Peru and Paraguay were to play Friday.

The match was one of the most eagerly anticipated encounters in Thursday’s third round of South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

Brazil barely managed a shot in the first half, with a David Luiz header which went wide four minutes before the break their best chance.

In order to counter Brazil’s creative threats, coach Gerardo Martino has hinted he might modify his tactics and deploy three central midfielders, namely Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia and Ever Banega.

Argentina are yet to win a game in the preliminary rounds, losing at home to Ecuador and scraping a draw with Paraguay.