Brasil Fans Support Germany, Oppose Argentina

Contrary to expectations, the majority of Brazilian supporters will turn around and back Thomas Mueller and company in their final match on Sunday (13/07), largely out of unwillingness for arch-rivals Argentina to win.

This strong Brazilian-Argentine rivalry has been ongoing since their first match in 1914. Both nations have competed at the highest level in several major tournaments, with intense matches including the 1978, 1982, and 1990 World Cups.

Moreover, the debate over individual greatness between Lionel Messi and Pele has been a long-standing topic of discussion. When a fan yells "Maradona is greater than Pele," it sparks a chorus of responses from the Brazilian side, such as "Only Pele scored 1,000 goals!"

Based on this fierce rivalry, many Brazilians don't like Argentina. Luiz Amorim, 55, said, "I'd back any team except Argentina. I love Pele, not Maradona."

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes even made a joke last year that "If Argentina wins the 2014 World Cup, I'd rather die,"

Victory for hermanos or saudara in Spanish - the term Brazilians use for Argentines - would be a tragedy. Especially since the final match is taking place at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the site of Brasil's historic 1950 World Cup Final defeat to Uruguay. "They can't win," said Gabriel Tedde, a Sao Paulo native, to BBC.

"If Brasil can't win, then neither can Argentina," echoed the views of Juliano Alves, 22.