The confidences of the Rio 2016 gold medalists suspended in the balance after they outlined their first two final round games at the South American Football Confederation Pre-Olympic Tournament. Their destiny was still in their individual hands, however, and the conquest over their violent rivals has protected their place in Japan.
Anything less would have seen Uruguay, who had earlier beaten hosts Colombia 3-1, qualify at their expense. Argentina had already qualified for the Games as tournament winners after registration two final round wins.
But they wasted the chance to show home the landmass's other football powerhouse as they were gusted away at Estadio Alfonso Lopez in Bucaramanga. Brazil ran after 13 minutes when Paulinho latched onto Pedrinho's hewed pass and slid home an end.