The Argentina – Brazil rivalry began in 1914 when the two first met, since then they have met about 90 more times. The ledger is remarkably even – Brazil has 35 wins to Argentina's 34. Of course part of the fabric of the Brazil – Argentina rivalry is that the two have a differing tally as to the statistics. These two just can't agree on anything.

But when it comes to the Argentina – Brazil rivalry, there are some things which can't be disputed. Brazil has won five World Cups to Argentina two. Argentina has won the Copa America 14 times compared to the 8 of Brazil. They are level at two Confederations Cup a piece. One of the real sore points of the Argentina – Brazil rivalry is the Olympic Games. This is the only thing Brazil have never won and Argentina have twice won Olympic gold. They won gold in Athens in 2004 and then defended their title in Beijing four years later. At Beijing they defeated Brazil 3-0 in the semi final. This loss was taken very badly in Brazil. How bad? They didn’t want to let the players back into Brazil.

Argentina has won the U20 World Cup six times to Brazil's four.

On field controversy has given the Brazil – Argentina rivalry real spice. In 1937 the two met in Buenos Aires in a very spiteful game. The Brazilian players feared for their safety and left the pitch before full time in a match which the Brazilian media later dubbed "jogo da vergonha" (the shame game).
In 1939, the two sides met in Rio. Argentina were furious with the officiating and left the field after a dubious penalty had been awarded to Brazil. The penalty was taken without a goalkeeper standing in the goal.

The two teams met in the round of 16 in the 1990 World Cup. This game is called the Holy Water game because Brazil's Branco claimed he was given a bottle of spiked water. He said the water affected his performance. Argentina went on to win the game 1-0 and knock Brazil out of the World Cup.

In 1995 the two teams met in a Copa America game. Brazil's Tulio Costa scored an equalizer that was clearly done with the help of his arm. The referee let it stand and Brazil went on to win on penalties in a game dubbed 'hand of the devil'.

In 1946 the two teams met in the South American championship. Jose Salomon has his leg smashed by a tackle. Both teams fought and left the field. On their return Argentina won 2-0 but Salomon would never play professional football again. This incident caused such bad blood and took the Brazil – Argentina rivalry to such a bad place that the two didn't play each other for 10 years. It was sad for the game that this happened and is a case of a football rivalry getting out of hand. A rivalry is good because it gives extra meaning and currency to a contest but when it is taken out of perspective to this degree, it defeats the purpose. Thankfully, the Argentina – Brazil rivalry returned and hasn't been as ugly.

Since its return, the rivalry has been dominated by two players. Pele for Brazil and Maradona for Argentina. The two simply don't get along and continually argue about who is the best player of all time and the best South American player of all time. Comparing players is never easy especially when the two players are from different eras. Maradona won a 2000 Player of the Century FIFA award which was conducted on the internet. After the vote, FIFA gave Pele a new prize which many in Argentina were upset about.

On numerous times, Maradona has accused FIFA of being too close with Pele and Pele has expressed displeasure at some of Maradona's antics. Much of this though is showmanship and for the cameras.

Popular culture has cashed in on the Brazil – Argentina rivalry. There is a commercial for the Brazilian soft drink, Guaraná Antarctica. Maradona is seen wearing a Brazilian shirt and standing in the Brazilian team line-up alongside Kaka and Ronaldo. He then sings the Brazilian anthem along with the rest of the team. He then wakes up to see that it was all a nightmare. He is wearing the shirt of the Argentina nation team and there are a number of empty Guaraná Antarctica cans next to his bed. This commercial won a number of awards. After the way the Argentina – Brazil rivalry was so ugly in the 1940s it was nice to see that people were taking a more light-hearted approach to it. A sense of humor is always good.

The Brazil – Argentina rivalry is so strong that it trickles down to other forms of football, most notably club football. There is always an extra edge when Brazilian and Argentinian club sides meet. Brazilian sides have won 13 Copas Libertadores to the 21 of Argentine sides. Argentina has a slight edge in the Copa Sudamerican with 14 to the 12 of Brazil.

In some ways the Argentina – Brazil rivalry at club level has been watered down due to the high number of Brazilians playing outside of Brazil. Many Argentine players stay in Argentina whereas the majority of Brazilians move overseas for the big money, especially from Europe and Asia. This weakens the standard of the Brazilian sides, not that the Argentineans care. When it comes to the Brazil – Argentina rivalry a win is a win and that is all that matters.