Crucial Test for Mascherano as Argentina Faces Brazil in Olympic Showdown

Former Barcelona player Javier Mascherano faces a make-or-break moment in his coaching career as the head of the Argentine U-20 and Olympic teams. The upcoming Argentina vs. Brazil clash in the final round of the Pre-Olympic tournament in Venezuela will determine which team secures a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. With Argentina needing a victory and Brazil content with a draw, the match is a high-pressure final.

Mascherano, who took on the role of U-20 coach in January 2022, is under scrutiny and facing criticism for his performance. This is his first professional coaching experience, and the pressure is heightened due to previous disappointments in major tournaments.

In Mascherano’s tenure, Argentina failed to advance past the group stage in the 2023 South American U-20 Championship, won by Brazil, and was eliminated in the Round of 16 against Nigeria in the 2023 U-20 World Cup, hosted by Argentina. The coach’s challenges have continued in the Pre-Olympic phase, with Argentina yet to secure a win after draws against Venezuela and Paraguay.

Acknowledging the criticism, Mascherano stated, “It’s possible that those who criticize may be lucky, and maybe I have only one game left. I can’t dwell on what they say about me. I try to give my best and do it in the best way. I accept criticism from wherever it comes. If people criticize me, it’s because they must think I’m not doing well, and their opinion is perfect. I focus on giving my best to help the players achieve the goal.”

The Brazil-Argentina clash on Sunday adds extra intensity due to the historic rivalry and the significant stake in reaching the Paris 2024 Olympics. Brazil, the reigning Olympic champion from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, faces off against Argentina, the current world champion since Qatar 2022. Both teams are determined to secure their place in Paris 2024.

Mascherano expressed the team’s approach, saying, “It will be a demanding match. It’s the last one. It’s all or nothing. We have to think positively. We’ve talked about it with the players. We will go to win, to press them from the beginning. We have shown that we are a team that knows how to play with heart. We focus on what we can control, and if we win, we will qualify.”