South American football looks to be at an all-time low.
Following Argentina’s embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Venezuela on Friday, Brazil drew 1-1 with Panama last night.
But are these teams just in transition? Or are they being left behind the ever-growing European powerhouses?
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This is the longest time in the World Cup’s history that it has been away from the shores of South America.
The Brazil team of 2002, staring Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cafu and co were the last team from the Americas to take the Jules Rimet home with them.
And following recent performances, there will be little belief that will change any time soon.
Brazil have won just four out of their last nine matches, with the draw against Panama comfortably the most shameful.
You know, the Panama England put six past at the World Cup…
It is worth remembering that only Philippe Coutinho started in Brazil’s final World Cup game against Belgium and started last night, with the likes of Richarlison, Eder Militao and Lucas Paqueta all getting a start.
But i’ll just say it again, Panama.
If Brazil are in a hole, Argentina are in a chasm.
They have won just two of their last ten, with draws against: Iceland, Venezuela and Peru accompanied by defeats against: France, Bolivia, Croatia and this weeks shock result against Venezuela.
Not the highest calibre of opposition.
Argentina, like Brazil, have been trying out some young players too.
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Martinez of Atalanta FC played alongside Lionel Messi as the likes of Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria were not included.
Argentina, Chile and Colombia have all dropped out of the top ten in the world rankings.
Instead, the likes of Denmark, Switzerland and even England have sneaked in to replace them.
It’s like watching England
This may well be heard from Medellin to Rio with the rate of improvement in Europe, and especially our shores at present.
With four teams from Europe making the World Cup semi-finals and with young talented sides in Holland, Portugal, Germnay and Spain only set to improve, it looks like the could be just the beginning.
Or, if you don’t call Europe home – the beginning of the end.
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