Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, along with Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães and Liverpool's Alisson Becker, will miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against their South American rivals Argentina due to injuries and suspensions. This change comes on the heels of a rollercoaster few days for Brazilian football fans, especially after Brazil's dramatic triumph over Colombia in a recent qualifier.
In the match against Colombia, played early Wednesday, March 21, 2025, Brazil managed to clinch a 2-1 victory thanks to crucial goals from Barcelona winger Raphinha and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, who found the net in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Raphinha opened the scoring just six minutes into the game, but Colombia's Luis Diaz equalized just before halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half. Guimaraes contributed to the team’s efforts by featuring prominently throughout the match, but will now face a spell on the sidelines.
After the match, Guimaraes expressed his disappointment about not being able to contribute to the Brazil squad in the crucial tie against Argentina, stating on social media, “Sad to be out of the next game, but I am sure that I will be another fan of our team.” His sentiments reflect a shared feeling among loyal followers of the sport, who were eager to see the duo of Guimaraes and Gabriel spearhead Brazil’s challenge.
Both Guimaraes and Gabriel will sit out the marquee match due to suspension from accumulating yellow cards, while Alisson has been ruled out after suffering a head injury against Colombia. Liverpool’s goalkeeper clashed heads with Galatasaray’s Davinson Sanchez, leading to his withdrawal from the squad, although he is reportedly doing well within FIFA's concussion protocol.
In light of the absences, Coach Dorival Junior has made several adjustments to the squad. He called up PSG's Beraldo, Wolverhampton’s Joao Gomes, Ederson from Atalanta, and Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton to fill the vacancies left by the injured and suspended players. The decision came just before Brazil's match against Argentina, scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Buenos Aires—a fixture of considerable importance in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The anticipation surrounding the clash has reached fever pitch, especially as Argentina recently demonstrated their depth by securing a narrow 1-0 win against Uruguay despite missing key stars like Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Paulo Dybala due to injuries. Coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the importance of teamwork following the victory, remarking, “When one is missing, another steps up.” Argentina’s late goal by Thiago Almada in the 67th minute showcased their resilience and ability to thrive under pressure.
Brazil’s lineup changes could potentially shift their strategy as they prepare for the formidable opposition. With Alisson out, Al-Nassr’s Bento is anticipated to step into goal, marking his first international start since previously featuring in friendlies against England and Spain in March 2024. Additionally, options for Gabriel’s replacement include Nottingham Forest’s Murillo or Leo Ortiz from Flamengo, indicating that the coaching staff is weighing the best tactics to deal with Argentina’s formidable lineup.
In the center of midfield, former Newcastle star Joelinton will likely play a vital role alongside Andre of Wolverhampton Wanderers, following Gerson’s injury against Colombia. These adjustments could result in Brazil adopting either a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior expected to take up critical positions on the flanks. The potential presence of Chiellini among the forwards can provide additional attacking dynamism.
As the countdown to the match intensifies, both Brazil and Argentina fans eagerly await to witness a classic showdown. Brazil’s past performances have often intertwined tight-knit competition with a sheer display of football excellence, exemplified by their recent achievements, including clinching the prestigious Carabao Cup—Newcastle’s first trophy in 56 years—just a few weeks ago.
Guimaraes and his teammates have consistently delivered at club and international levels, with Guimaraes himself having missed only two matches over the past two seasons. The toll of continuous competitive action has raised concerns regarding player fatigue, as mentioned by Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe. “It is up to us to look at his schedule and find ways to do that,” Howe stated, acknowledging the necessity of striking a balance between competition and rest for his star midfielder.
Following the international break, Guimaraes will return to Newcastle in time for the Carabao Cup winners' parade on Saturday, March 29, 2025, before jumping back into the Premier League clash against Brentford on April 2, 2025. Fans will undoubtedly rally behind him and the rest of the squad as they keep the hope alive for further success on the domestic front.
The Brazil-Argentina match presents a critical junction in the World Cup qualifiers and will be a marker for both teams—as Brazil aims to maintain their dominance while Argentina seeks to solidify their status after recovering from key injuries. All eyes will be on these two footballing giants as they collide in a match that promises both excitement and anxious anticipation.
