Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head football record: Which country has more football achievements?

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head football record: Which country has more football achievements?

Claudia Kogi
January 22, 2024 at 9:34 AM
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FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
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Brazil
Brazil
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The South American football rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is among the most watched matches on the planet. The two countries are known for their achievements in the soccer world and have been routinely ranked among the top 10 national teams in the world by FIFA. Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head matches have always had record attendance and are often marked by controversial and notable incidents.

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head most win
The South American football rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is among the most watched matches on the planet. Photo: BirgitKorber (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The two countries have gone down in history due to their high level of competitiveness and talented players. Sports pundits have described their rivalry as the Battle of the Americas, and CNN ranked it second after England and Scotland's rivalry, which has existed for decades. Read on to find out which country has more football achievements.

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head history

The two countries have faced each other on 113 occasions. The Selecao have a slim historical advantage over La Albiceleste since they have won 46 matches compared to their South American opponents, who have managed 41 victories.

The remaining 26 matches between the South American football giants ended in a draw. Their most recent head-to-head meeting happened during the 2026 World Cup qualifier in November 2023, where they drew 0-0.

FIFA World Cup Brazil vs Argentina

In the FIFA World Cup, the two national teams have met on four occasions and in doing so, the Selecao have won two of the four matches played, with La Albiceleste winning one and one ending in a draw.

In the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, the two nations have met on nine occasions, and in their meetings, the Selecao have had four wins while La Albiceleste has had two and three matches ending in a draw.

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head Copa America wins

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head most win
Players of Brazil pose for pictures before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 November 2023. Photo: Carl De Souza
Source: Getty Images

The South American football giants have played 34 games in the Copa America competition, and in doing so, Brazil has a record of 10 wins while their opponents have registered 16 wins. 8 matches between the two teams ended in a draw.

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head most win

In the head-to-head competitions between the two clubs, the Selecao have the upper hand, having won 46 matches compared to their South American rivals with 41. The Selecao have 5 more wins, making them one of the best footballing nations globally.

Brazil vs Argentina legends

The two South American nations have produced some of the greatest soccer players in the world, such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Diego Maradona, Pelé and Ronaldinho. Here are some of the greatest legends of all time from both countries.

Brazil

5. Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho's play style, goal-scoring prowess, and contagious smile surprised the world. The Porto Alegre native, who was awarded two FIFA World Player of the Year titles and a Ballon d'Or, was a significant figure among football players of his generation.

4. Kaká

Among the most well-known soccer players globally and in Brazil is Ricardo Kaká. He made history in 2012 as the first athlete to amass over 10 million X(Twitter) followers.

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head Copa America wins
Players of Argentina celebrate at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 November 2023. Photo: Carl De Souza
Source: Getty Images

During his peak, the Spanish Champion distinguished himself as a skilled and well-recognized playmaker for each of his teams.

3. Ronaldo

Ronaldo was the youngest player to ever win the Ballon d'Or and the all-time leader in goals scored in World Cup games. Throughout his 18-year career, the president of Real Valladolid CF earned six top goal scorer honours, two World Cups, and two Ballon d'Ors.

2. Garrincha

Mané Garrincha is a renowned Brazilian soccer player whose impact on the game is still evident today. He is among the most accomplished disabled soccer players who grew up to overcome a spinal disability and bow-legged looks to win two World Cup trophies.

1. Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento is the greatest soccer player ever played for the Selecao. At 17, The King won his first of three World Cup victories. He went down in history as the most decorated football player in the world.

Argentina

5. Daniel Passarella

Daniel Passarella, who missed out on playing in 1986 due to sickness, is the only Argentine on two World Cup-winning sides. "El Gran Capitan" led the squad and was a member of the All-Star Team in 1978.

4. Mario Kempes

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head Copa America wins
Fans of Brazil cheer before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers against Argentina at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 November 2023. Photo: Daniel Ramalho
Source: Getty Images

Mario Kempes was most likely the inspiration behind Batistuta's heavy-metal hairstyle. Kempes scored twice in the championship match to win the Golden Ball, Ballon d'Or and Golden Boot for La Albiceleste in the 1978 World Cup.

3. Alfredo Di Stéfano

Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stéfano won eight Spanish championships, a domestic cup, and the European Cup five times in succession. He was the 1957 and 1959 Ballon d'Or winner and is considered one of the best footballers ever.

2. Diego Maradona

Most people consider Diego Maradona to be one of the best players of all time. His finishing, ball control, dribbling, vision, originality, and passing are widely recognized. He scored one of the most memorable goals in history and won the Ballon d'Or twice.

1. Lionel Messi

Currently, with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is an Argentine club's young prodigy. He signed with Barcelona and made his debut when he was seventeen. He went on to win four Champions Leagues in Spain, seven domestic cups, and ten league crowns.

Due to his outstanding goal-scoring abilities, he has over 800 career goals, over 100 for his nation, and 13 at the World Cup. He has won seven Ballon d'Or awards and took home the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa América.

Brazil vs Argentina achievements

Brazil has won the World Cup title five times against Argentina's three and will thus go down in history as the five-time World Champions. While Selecao also leads the Confederations Cup by four to one, La Albiceleste has 16 Copa America championships to Brazil's 10.

Brazil vs Argentina achievements
Fans of Argentina cheer before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers against Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 November 2023. Photo: Daniel Ramalho
Source: Getty Images

Interestingly, Selecao has won all three major finals in which the two sides have faced off - Copa America 2004, FIFA Confederations Cup 2005, and Copa America 2007.

Why is Brazil still 1st in FIFA ranking?

The Selecao are still ranked 1st in FIFA due to a new set of algorithms. Elo method awards points for each game played in a FIFA-recognised competition rather than taking an average over a series of matches.

Frequently asked questions

These two nations are widely acknowledged as the two dominant forces in South American football, having won eight FIFA World Cups apiece. Here are some frequently asked questions about the two nations.

1. What is Argentina's biggest football defeat in history?

La Albiceleste has lost three matches by a score of 6-1, including defeats to Czechoslovakia, Bolivia, and Spain.

2. Which is the richest country between Brazil and Argentina?

The Selecao tops the regional ranking in yearly GDP, or the total quantity of goods and services generated in a nation each year, followed by Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

3. Who is better in football, Brazil or Argentina?

After CONMEBOL instituted the single-group, round-robin format for World Cup qualification, Brazil has been victorious four times, while Argentina has won three times. Selecao, on the other hand, will go down in history as the five-time World Champion.

FIFA World Cup Brazil vs Argentina
Lionel Messi gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers against Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 November 2023. Photo: Daniel Ramalho
Source: Getty Images

4. Which country is No 1 in football?

As of January 2024, Argentina is at the top of the FIFA Men's World Ranking for soccer. Based on their game performance, the men's member teams of FIFA, the international governing body of football, are ranked, with the most successful teams at the top.

5. Has Argentina ever won a football World Cup?

They have won the FIFA World Cup three times, in 1978 and 1986, and 2022.

Final word

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head clashes are renowned for their intense competition and explosive moments, with neither team willing to concede a single inch to its continental rivals. The matchup often sparks discussion about who the "GOAT" is between Diego Maradona and Pele, while contemporary great Lionel Messi has frequently faced off against Neymar.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.