Undoubtedly Brazil will be the happier side with Friday night’s 1-1 draw but Gerardo Martino’s side did at least show signs of promise. The now famous Martino ‘idea’ appears to be gradually taking root and although the vital three points eluded them, there were some decent performances. Ramiro Funes Mori made the step up to international football, Éver Banega pushed for a more regular role and Ángel Di María reminded Argentina supporters of his quality.

Sergio Romero – 5.5

Club football’s most desired back-up goalkeeper usually never disappoints in an Argentina shirt but on Friday evening against Brazil, Chiquito did not produce his best performance. Never the strongest with the ball at his feet, Romero looked nervous when the ball was played back to him and his kicking was wayward. There were a couple of decent (if routine) saves during a second half when Brazil began threatening more but the Manchester United keeper may feel he could have done better with Lucas Lima’s equaliser.

Facundo Roncaglia – 7

All eyes were on Facundo Roncaglia prior to kickoff with the expectation that if Brazil were to add to Argentina’s woes then the Fiorentina defender would be a contributing factor. After being given a hard time by Jefferson Montero against Ecuador, the feeling was that Neymar and co would tear him to pieces. However, the 28-year-old stuck to his task admirably and Brazil could get no joy down their left. Roncaglia also surprised Brazil by providing a decent outlet for Di María on the overlap and although Douglas Costa found space to head against the bar prior to the Brazil goal, Roncaglia exceeded expectation.

Nicolás Otamendi – 7

A typically powerful performance by Otamendi as the Manchester City defender continues to show why he has established himself as one of the top centre-backs in Europe. The signs of a promising partnership with Ramiro Funes Mori were evident and while the Everton defender may bring the easier on the eye, ball playing style, Otamendi brings the aggression. Was booked for a rather naughty challenge on Neymar in the second half.

Ramiro Funes Mori – 8

As a defender at River that played on the edge and was slightly error prone, question marks over whether Ramiro Funes Mori could cut it at the highest level were justified. It is still early days but the Everton defender produced an assured performance against Brazil that could just see him become a regular at the heart of La Albiceleste defence. Strong in the air and comfortable on the ball, Funes Mori strode out of defence with the utmost confidence to initiate attacks.

Marcos Rojo – 7.5

The return of Marcos Rojo to the left-back position proved to be a timely one as the Manchester United defender gave another reminder why he is the number one choice in the position. Emmanuel Más was given a torrid time by Antonio Valencia against Ecuador but up against the more dangerous, Willian, Marcos Rojo excelled. Argentina’s full-backs are often guilty of not providing enough width but Rojo got forward well and put some decent crosses into the box. Always a threat in the air, Rojo was not too far away from winning the match with a header.

Lucas Biglia – 7

Much of Lucas Biglia’s most important work goes relatively unnoticed but the Lazio midfielder does exactly what Martino asks of him in the centre. Biglia provided important cover to Roncaglia to his left and was vital in breaking up play and distributing the ball. Does the 29-year-old give Argentina much vertical thrust? No, but that is not his game; Martino selects him for the solidity that is created and the responsibility is on the coach to find a different midfield formula if a disconnect with the attack exists.

Javier Mascherano – 7

El Jefecito produced what is now an expected Mascherano performance for Argentina and as usual every full-hearted challenge was greeted with huge cheers by his adoring public in the Monumental. Not the most progressive passer of the ball but Martino wants a leader in the middle of the pitch, protecting his back four and Mascherano does just that.

Éver Banega – 7.5

There was a lot riding on the performance of Éver Banega after Martino named the Sevilla midfielder alongside the more defensive pairing of Mascherano and Biglia. Thankfully for Martino and Argentina, Banega produced the goods and during a first half that La Albiceleste dominated, he and Di María combined to cause Brazil all manner of problems. It was Banega who quickly won the ball back to initiate the attack that led to Ezequiel Lavezzi’s goal and the 27-year-old came within a whisker of doubling the lead when he hit the post immediately after the restart. Since his days as a youngster with Boca Juniors and the Argentina youth sides, Banega has always been a wonderful passer of the ball and creative hub but his inconsistency makes him a frustrating player to watch. As Brazil took a grip on the game, Banega drifted out slightly but his substitution with ten minutes remaining brought a warm reception from the crowd.

Ángel Di María – 8

The 10 is not just an iconic shirt number but is also a role in the side that is normally reserved to those players who get on the ball and make a millisecond look like an eternity and an inch like an acre and who think their way through a match looking for moments of weakness in the opponent. Angel Di Maria is many things but he is not that. Lightning quick, tricky and virtually indefatigable but lacking critical decision making makes him a dangerous wide man but not a number 10. However, starting out on the right, Di María conducted nearly all of Argentina’s threatening moments from the first moments when he released Roncaglia to the wonderful threw ball to Higuaín in the build-up to the goal. El Fideo will have a vital role in the heat and humidity in Barranquilla on Tuesday afternoon.

Gonzalo Higuaín – 7

It wasn’t the easiest of night’s for Gonzalo Higuaín as the Napoli striker had little in the way of chances to ease his nerves and announce himself back in Argentina colours. His high profile absence from the previous squad following his penalty miss in the Copa América final has added to the pressure on the 27-year-old but he worked hard in the lone central striker role until he was replaced by Paolo Dybala late on. His intelligent running in behind Miranda and David Luíz was incorrectly penalised as offside earlier in the first half but decisively he timed it to perfection to pick up Di María’s through ball and square the ball for Lavezzi to open the scoring.

Ezequiel Lavezzi – 7

Lavezzi had a slightly patchy night against Brazil but showed excellent movement and pace to give Argentina the lead during the first half. Pocho kept Dani Alves busy throughout the opening 45 minutes and as always worked hard to help the team defensively. When tiring he could perhaps be found guilty of losing Lucas Lima when the Brazilian smashed in the equaliser but it is difficult to argue that Nicolás Gaitán fared better.

Substitutions

Nicolás Gaitán – 6

It could be argued that Nicolás Gaitán has not had a fair crack at the whip for Argentina and again on Friday night, Gerardo Martino’s substitutions left all three with little time to have a real impact. Gaitán was awarded 20 minutes when Brazil had taken more of the initiative and the Benfica wide-man failed to make much of an impression. A couple of decent crosses were unfortunately at a time when Argentina did not have too many options in the box but crucially a poorly chosen pass let Brazil off the hook when La Albiceleste broke with a man advantage.

Paulo Dybala – insufficient time

Another small cameo for Dybala gave the youngster no time to make an impact.

Érik Lamela – insufficient time

Coming on with Dybala with barely ten minutes remaining, Lamela did not have enough time to change things. The rejuvenated Tottenham forward was involved in drawing David Luíz’s initial yellow card and did drill in a dangerous low cross but not much else.