(updated 12:50 pm EST  September 8th, 2009)

It is perhaps the longest-running war in Brazilian history. Year after year, for decades, the battles are fought and heros have fallen.

We’re speaking of course, of the intense futebol rivalry that rages between Brazil and Argentina, and last week Argentina’s head coach, Diego Maradona threw gasoline on the fire when he  ’predictably’ predicted a victory over Brazil.

But, when the dust had settled, it was Brazil’s victory as they became the first South American nation to make it to the World Cup finals by defeating their old enemy Argentina 3-1 in the South American – League Group in Rosario. A brace by Luis Fabiano after a Luisao header opened the scoring helped the five-time world champions book their tickets to travel for South Africa next year. It confirmed Brazil’s qualification but leaves Argentina in fourth just two points ahead of the play-off places.

Argentina started attacking Brazil from the start, Lionel Messi going wide with a left-footed shot in the 13th minute to rouse the home crowd. However, it was the visitors who took the lead 11 minutes later when Luisao headed home a Kaka free-kick past the Albicelestes goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, according to a report filed with ESPN.

Maradona had showen no lack of faith in his squad.

“We’re going to win because we have better players,” Maradona said in an interview Monday on Radio Palermo and quoted by the Associated Press.

“By beating them we will show everything we have as a group,” the fiery coach said. “The boys are strong.”

The talented Brazilian squad stands atop the South American standings, and the loss moved the Argentines dangerously close to being outside the Top 4 and possibly missing out on a guaranteed World Cup slot. Ecuador (two points back) and Uruguay (four points back) sit just behind Maradona’s team.

So, Argentina’s slip-up proved costly.  The game which was played in Rosario, Argentina was Argentina’s second World Cup qualifying home defeat since September 5 1993, when they lost 5-0 to Colombia in Buenos Aires.

What do you think? Will Argentina make the cut? What are the odds that Brazil will repeat as World Cup champs in South Africa (2010) and again when they host the finals in 2014?

– SEAN CHAFFIN