The Albiceleste have endured a rocky past at Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Maracana, yet the latest chapters have brought a fresh, uplifting tone.
For the Argentina national team, the Maracana stands as a turning point in its narrative. Just over two years ago, on July 10, 2021, the venue still bore the burden of the pandemic’s many blows. That moment marked the birth of the so-called Scaloneta, a period that ended a 28‑year title drought by securing the Copa América with a victory over Brazil, a defining triumph for a side hungry for silverware.
On Tuesday, November 22, Argentina will return to Rio’s storied arena to face Venezuela in the sixth matchday of the South American qualifiers. The team seeks another win to sustain the recent winning momentum while acknowledging the maraca history that remains a difficult backdrop.
ARGENTINA AT THE MARACANÃ: A LOOK BACK
What follows is a broader review that includes more than matches against Brazil. The first visit took place in 1957 during the Roca Cup, a 2-1 victory that featured two notable moments: Ángel Labruna scoring at age 38 and Pelé making his senior debut at 16, delivering a temporary equalizer. The arc of encounters at the stadium has produced a mix of outcomes, underscored by memorable wins and painful losses.
Across 20 matches at the Maracana, Argentina has claimed seven wins, drawn three times, and suffered ten defeats. Among the triumphs, the 1-0 win over England to claim the 1964 Nations Cup stands out, as do the 0-2 losses to Brazil and Uruguay in the closing stages of the 1989 Copa América. The World Cup journey also left its mark with a 2014 victory over Bosnia and a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Germany in the final, followed by the 2021 Copa América title clinched by Ángel Di María’s goal in a 1-0 win against Brazil.
The Maracana’s history with Argentina is a mosaic of dramatic moments that have helped shape the national team’s identity on the world stage.
ARGENTINA AGAINST BRAZIL AT THE MARACANÃ
Historically, the matchups with Brazil at this venue have formed what many call the Superclasico de las Americas. Argentina has played 11 times in Rio, achieving three wins, two draws, and six defeats. Among the standout results is the 1-0 victory in April 1998, a match played on the eve of the World Cup in France, when a goal from Piojo López sealed the win.
These meetings reflect a deep, enduring rivalry that has tested Argentina at some of the sport’s most hallowed stages, shaping the team’s expectations and the fans’ fervor alike.
ALL GAMES
This historical overview highlights the breadth of Argentina’s experiences at the Maracana, illustrating a journey through triumphs and trials that continue to influence the national team’s mindset on big stages.
Citations: The data above is attributed to match records and historical summaries from Goal and related archives.