Argentina vs. Brazil: Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Qualifier

A depleted Argentina side struck first, but Brazil rebounded with a second-half goal, courtesy of Lucas Lima, to snag a point in Friday's 2018 World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires. 

Argentina are now 0-2-1 with a meagre two points to their name since World Cup qualifying began. According to ESPN Stats & Info, this is the first time in history that Argentina have gone winless in their first three World Cup qualifying matches.

Place	Country	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goal Differential	Points
1	Ecuador	3	0	0	+5	9
2	Chile	2	1	0	+3	7
3	Uruguay	2	0	1	+4	6
4	Paraguay	1	1	0	+1	4
5	Brazil	1	1	1	0	4
6	Colombia	1	1	1	-1	4
7	Bolivia	1	0	2	-2	3
8	Argentina	0	2	1	-2	2
9	Peru	0	0	2	-3	0
10	Venezuela	0	0	2	-5	0

With that said, manager Gerardo Martino's side were operating at a disadvantage against one of their biggest rivals.

Argentina were not only without superstar Lionel Messi, but they were also missing offensive facilitators Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero because of injuries.

"It's logical to miss a player like Messi,'' Argentina midfielder Nico Gaitan told Ole, according to Press Association Sport (via ESPN FC). "He is crucial for us and we certainly felt his absence in the opening two qualifiers."

However, Argentina didn't appear to feel the heat early.

The two sides traded possession throughout the first 30 minutes, but Argentina were the crisper side despite their many absences. Ever Banega recorded the game's first on-target shot following some beautiful build-up play, but his goalward attempt sailed over the crossbar. 

In the 34th minute, Ezequiel Lavezzi responded with a smooth finish after Angel Di Maria slotted a ball to Gonzalo Higuain, who crossed it to the Paris Saint-Germain striker for the finish. 

Although Brazil dealt with injuries of their own—operating sans defenders Marquinhos and Marcelo—they were able to stand tall, withstand Argentina's impressive first-half display and press on in the second stanza. 

Lima's equaliser calmed nerves, and possession shifted in Brazil's favour from that point forward. The 2014 World Cup semi-finalists nabbed a majority share of the possession (52 percent) en route to a respectable draw—even if it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing contest.

"To be honest, both goals were fantastic but there were a lot of disappointing performances," the Guardian's Luis Miguel Echegaray wrote. "Neymar, for one, did not have a good game. He seemed lost and without any sense of knowing how to control his side of the pitch."

World Cup qualifying will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 17, for both sides. Argentina will square off against a sputtering Colombian side, while Brazil should be heavily favoured when they hit the pitch against Peru. 

Argentina, in particular, are in need of a win. Winless since World Cup qualifying started, the South American powers are in dire need of some stability. Since qualifying began, Argentina have mustered a single goal in three games after being shut out by Ecuador and playing to a scoreless draw with Paraguay. 

Colombia are 1-1-1, allowing four goals through three games, so the opportunity should present itself for Argentina's offence to rediscover decent form on Tuesday. But if that clash comes and goes without a positive result, there's no doubt the Argentinians will be pressing.