Picture Credit: Twitter
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is all set to host the friendly between the two giants of football, Brazil and Argentina in June this year. The ground issued a release to announce the news. Notably, both teams will return to the venue to play a match after five years, having played their last game in 2017 in front of 95,569 fans.
"Football fans in Melbourne and across Australia will witness the astonishing skills of football giants, Brazil and Argentina live when the two teams face off for Superclasico 2022 at the MCG on June 11," read the statement issued by MCG.
This game is seen as the preparation for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. International matches played in a World Cup year are vital to the preparation of qualifying teams, and Superclasico organisers are expecting both Brazil (1st in the FIFA world rankings) and Argentina (4th in the FIFA world rankings) to field their strongest available teams.
“We are delighted to welcome two footballing giants back to the MCG to dazzle Melbourne and Australian football and general sports fans, and in a World Cup year no less,” Melbourne Cricket Club Chief Executive, Stuart Fox said.
“To have two of the most successful football teams in the world return to the MCG to continue their longstanding rivalry reinforces our position as one of the world’s great sporting cities and Australia’s event capital,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula.
Argentina had emerged victorious last time
In their last meet at the same venue, Lionel Messi's Argentina had emerged victorious by 1-0. Fans then were treated to the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Paulo Dybala and Gabriel Jesus across the two South American powerhouses, as the MCG recorded its largest crowd for a football match, eclipsing the Liverpool FC and Melbourne Victory friendly back in 2013.