The goalkeeper Bentorevealed by Athletico will be holder of the Brazilian team in the match against Argentina on Tuesday (25), at 21h, at the Monumental Stadium of Núñez. The duel is valid for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and features a mood already lived by the current Al Nassr player from Saudi Arabia.
“People think I can get a little more nervous, perhaps a little more eager to be a classic, even more there in Argentina. But my professional debut was also against an Argentine team, River Plate, in the round of 16,” he said.
“My preparation was the same when I played on the U15. It makes me calm to make a great match and help the Brazilian team,” Bento added in a press conference on the eve of the classic.
In 2020, Bento made the debut not planned by the Hurricane’s main team against River Plate. The confrontation was valid for the round of 16 of Libertadores in November 2020.
At the time, the holder Santos and the substitute Jandrei tested positive for Covid-19. With the isolation protocol, Bento had to debut at 21 years.
In Curitiba, Athletico drew 1-1, with much celebration of red-blacks for having supported the pressure from siblings.
Me to Argentina, Bento shone with several defenses, but did not avoid defeat by 1-0 and the elimination of the hurricane. The goal was scored by Uruguayan midfielder Nico de la Cruz, currently in Flamengo.
Bento, it is worth remembering, made his “debut” with the hopscotch officially in the confrontation against Colombia, in the last round. Now it will have its first official opportunity as the holder of Dorival Júnior’s national team.
Earlier, the goalkeeper had been starting in the friendly against England and Spain, both in March last year. The goalkeeper was widely praised by the performances at the time.
River technician and Argentina press ripped praise to Bento
Athletico lost, but the archer showed security and was praised by Marcelo Gallardo, coach of the Argentine team at the time.
“Very well and deserving. It came with zero experience and shooting. With confidence, both on and back, it was important. We had a lot of chances to convert and did not expand for his performance. I congratulate the goalkeeper,” said Gallardo, who returned to the club and follows in charge of the River.
In addition to Gallardo, the Olé newspaperone of Argentina’s main newspapers, compared Bento with some of the best goalkeepers in history, such as Italian Gigi Buffon and Spanish Iker Casillas.
“Bento, rival goalkeeper, in buffon mode, casillas, have Stegen or another they prefer. Defended everything. The young goalkeeper seemed to have 300 back matches,” he said.
Brazilian team will have changes to face Argentina
The technician Dorival Junior confirmed the probable lineup of the Brazilian team to the classic against Argentina.
Brazil must enter the field with Bento; Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana; André, Joelinton and Raphinha; Vini Junior, Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha.
In defense, Bento won the place that was from Alisson, who suffered a header in a 2-1 win over Colombia last week.
In addition, Flamengo’s back Wesley surpassed the competition from Vanderson, from Monaco. In the defender, Murillo, of Nottingham Forest, occupies the place left by Gabriel Magalhães, arsenal player who was cut off on suspension.
The midfielder Bruno Guimarães was also cut off for taking the second yellow card and gives way to André, from Wolverhampton. Also in the middle, Gerson was cut off on suspicion of injury and returned to Flamengo. Joelinton, Bruno’s partner at Newcastle, will have a chance as a starter.
Finally, a change in attack was defined by Dorival’s option. João Pedro, from Brighton, gives way to Matheus Cunha, revealed by Coritiba and currently at Wolverhampton.