Why Brazil has negative streak against Argentina under Tité: The only team to defeat them in 24 months

In CONMEBOL, one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries is that between Brazil and Argentina. Both nations are the most successful teams in the region and they always want to get a pound of flesh out of each other. Over the years, they have had some epic clashes as well as many talented players. Both countries have one a piece of arguably the greatest ever players to play football, Pele and Maradona. 

In recent times, both teams have been below par on the World stage but have maintained a fierce rivalry at the regional level. The peculiar makeup of the South-American soccer landscape means that both teams often play against each other yearly. Many championships have been determined in a Brazil Vs. Argentina final also. 

Since coach Tité took over the Brazilian national team job, the Selecao have been in impressive form. He has raised the team from the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in 2014 to losing just 6 games out of 67 since he took over in 2016. Tité has brought the best out of this Brazilian team, evoking memories of old. 

However, 3 of those 6 losses have come against one single opponent, Argentina. Since Tité became coach of Brazil, Argentina seems to have become his bogey team, losing 2 games in a row now and 3 games in total against the Abiceleste. For more context, Brazil has met Argentina 6 times under Tité and they have lost 3 games, winning the other 3. 

In the last 2 games, Brazil lost to Argentina by a 1-0 scoreline in the 2019 Superclasico de las Americas at the King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh. Afterwards, both teams met in July 2021 at the final of the 2020 Copa America tournament. Again, Brazil lost by 1-0 courtesy of an Angel di Maria goal. 

Argentina's sudden clicking into gear and the ability of their coach, Lionel Scaloni to find the best way to utilise the presence of Lionel Messi along with every other team member. Pairing Lautaro Martinez with Lionel Messi upfront is also a genius. Also, unearthing stars such as Acuna, Rodrigo de Paul etc. has made him stay ever-fresh. This is why Argentina has had an edge over Brazil in recent years.