OTD E0093 — 01 Feb 1937: The Game of Shame — Argentina vs Brazil, and the Night a Rivalry Turned Permanent

01 Feb 1937: Buenos Aires, Estadio Gasómetro. Argentina and Brazil finish level atop the South American Championship, so a play-off is forced. The match turns into chaos: fights, stoppages, a long delay… then extra time. A 19-year-old, Vicente de la Mata, scores twice to win the title — and many later call it the birth of the Argentina–Brazil rivalry. From Pelé’s debut in 1957 to Messi’s first trophy in 2021, the 2021 “pitch invasion” qualifier, and Brazil’s first-ever home WCQ loss in 2023.Ideas: [email protected]