18:00h CEST

There are few, if any, fiercer rivalries in world football than Brazil and Argentina and fans of the five-times world champions are thoroughly enjoying the qualification struggles of Jorge Sampaoli’s side for Russia 2018.

Brazil have Argentina’s fate partially in their hands going into the final round of games in Conmebol qualifying and a campaign has been launched on social media for Tite’s side, who are already through, to hand Chile victory in São Paulo to ensure that Argentina miss out, with the Albiceleste travelling to Ecuador in their final game.

Brazil fans sense a chance for revenge

Sampaoli’s side need to win in Quito to reach the finals in Russia but also require Brazil to defeat Chile to avoid finishing fifth and facing an inter-confederation playoff against New Zealand. That has led to Brazilian fans launching a campaign with the hashtags #EntregaBrasil and #EntregaProChile (entregar in Portuguese means to lose on purpose), calling on Tite’s men to allow Chile to win.

The antagonism between the two nations runs deep and both are always quick to jump on disasters affecting the other; Brazilian fans have not swiftly forgotten the mirth generated in Argentina when they were mauled 7-1 by Germany at the last World Cup on home soil and few would have imagined that redress would be a possibility as early as qualifying for the next tournament.