Argentina hoping return of Lionel Messi will lead them to World Cup Qualifying victory over Neymar’s Brazil
Argentina are sixth in the South American qualifiers and have been praying for the Messi-ah to return as they fight to make Russia 2018
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IT’S Lionel Messi versus Neymar in the ‘Battle of South America’.
Brazil host crisis-hit Argentina on Thursday in a crunch World Cup qualifier — and the backdrop could not be more dramatic.
Argentina are sixth in the South American qualifiers and have been praying for the Messi-ah to return.
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The five-time Ballon D’Or winner is back after missing their last three qualifiers due to injury.
Argentina failed to win any — drawing in Venezuela and Peru and losing at home to Paraguay.
It even led to calls for strikers Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain to be axed.
Many pundits were demanding a call-up for Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi, but under-fire Argie manager Edgardo Bauza snubbed him for the showdown against group leaders Neymar and Co.
Instead, he confirmed £75.5million Juventus hitman Higuain will start up front, with Manchester City star Aguero benched.
Bauza took over from Gerardo Martino this summer after the Copa America final loss to Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez’s Chile.
Messi quit international football that night before quickly changing his mind.
Bauza has only won one of his four matches — the only one Messi played in.
And Argentina are fuming after Chile were handed a win on paper from Fifa.
This was after Bolivia fielded an ineligible player, Nelson Cabrera, in their goalless clash.
Those extra points mean Chile occupy the play-off spot — and not Argentina.
City’s Nicolas Otamendi, who will start in defence, said: “Obviously we are angry about Chile but just have to focus on our games — nothing more.”
Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Neymar will play in Belo Horizonte, where Brazil suffered THAT 7-1 World Cup humiliation against Germany.
The forward missed that game due to injury — but now aims to send their bitter rivals Brazil nuts . . .
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The hitman was dropped in the midweek Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon after defying boss Thomas Tuchel to travel to Milan and party last Monday.
But it’s now 11 goals in nine Bundesliga starts this season for the Dortmund goal machine.
Auba said: “I made a mistake and apologised to the coach and the whole team before the Sporting match. I do not want to risk my good relationship with the coach.”
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They are the only Bundesliga team that has never been relegated but they now need a miracle to stay up.
HSV legend Uwe Seeler (404 goals in 476 appearances in a 19-year career) was in attendance to celebrate his 80th birthday but failed to inspire his beloved club.