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QATAR 2022

Scaloni and Argentina not underestimating Brazil despite absences

The 'Superclásico de las Américas' between Brazil and Argentina takes place on Sunday at the Corinthians Arena as both nations look to maintain their solid WC qualifying starts.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa America  2021 - Final - Brazil v Argentina - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 10, 2021 Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni during the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Final - Brazil v Argentina - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 10, 2021 Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni during the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File PhotoAMANDA PEROBELLIREUTERS

Lionel Scaloni spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's clash in Sâo Paulo with much of the questoning focused on Messi. Argentina should have Lionel Messi fit for the Brazil match after he took a knock against Venezuela in their 3-1 win on Thursday.

“Leo is good,” Scaloni said. “We’ll train this afternoon. We’ll know 100% for sure this afternoon.”

Argentina beat Brazil in the final of the Copa America on July 10 in Rio de Janeiro and their win in Caracas extended their unbeaten run to 21 games.

But the home side have won all seven of their qualifiers so far and lead the 10-team South American qualifying group by six points from their opponents.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar in 2022 but Scaloni said catching Brazil was not a priority.

“Our task is to get the maximum number of points and qualify for the finals,” he said. “I don’t think it's relevant what position we reach in the qualifying table but that we get there.