Argentina vs. Brazil result: Lionel Messi heading to 2022 Qatar World Cup after draw

Lionel Messi will be at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A 0-0 draw was enough for his Argentina side to mathematically book its ticket to the tournament after a heated World Cup qualifying rivalry match against Brazil in San Juan.

Messi, who started the match and went the full 90 minutes, nearly scored in the last minute of the match, but his shot on goal went straight into the hands of Brazil goalkeeper Alisson. It would have made for a magical finish to the evening.

Brazil, which previously clinched its World Cup spot back on Nov. 11, created more attacking opportunities and could have come away with a famous victory, but some solid goalkeeping from Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez and other questionable finishing kept them off the board.

MORE: Which teams have qualified for Qatar 2022 World Cup?

The match was the usual physical, chippy affair between the two heavyweights and Brazil fans would have wanted to see a red card shown to Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi, who viciously elbowed Leeds United winger Raphinha, but the referees looked the other way.

Brazil and Argentina continue to lead the South American qualifying standings. Both teams remain undefeated in qualify and the Argentines extended their unbeaten streak across all matches to 27 games and counting.

90th min.: Lionel Messi had it on his foot! But he fires it right at Alisson and it's an easy save. That was it. It would have sent Argentina into the World Cup.

86th min.: SUB - Last one for Argentina: Dominguez in for Giovani Lo Celso in midfield.

79th min.: SUB - Brazil bring Gerson Santos in for Lucas Paqueta in midfield. Meanwhile, Argentina is continuing to look for free kicks near the Brazil penalty area. The home team is almost resigned to the fact that a set piece will be the only way through this Brazil team.

76th min.: Marcos Acuna gets a yellow card for trying to get under Antony's skin. He tried.

74th min.: SUB - Before Argentina can take a free kick, Julian Alvarez comes in for Angel Di Maria. Nothing comes of the free kick (great ball by Messi, but no teammates reacted).

72nd min.: What a chance for Brazil! The ball gets to Vinicius Jr. on the left side of the box, he dances on it and unleashes a shot which Dibu Martinez stops. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has been invisible.

69th min.: SUB - Antony comes in for Raphinha and he'll be taking over the right winger role.

65th min.: What a play by Vinicius Jr. This is the microcosm of what's been a dream season for him.

61st min.: Fred hits the crossbar! The ball falls to the Brazilian midfielder outside the box and he lofts a shot that kisses the bar. Brazil still the most likely to score.

53rd min.: The sub, German Pezzella, just rams into Vinicius Jr. to stop his run and he gets a yellow caution card.

53rd min.: Another dirty play from an Argentine player. This time it's Rodrigo De Paul who kicks out at Lucas Paqueta's chance from the ground. No discipline from the ref.

53rd min.: SUB - Romero can't do it. German Pezzella comes on for him. That's a big loss for Argentina.

50th min.: Cristian Romero, who's Argentina's best player so far, goes down with what looks like a hamstring and the Argentina bench is ready to make the change, but Romero waves them off. He's staying in the game.

46th min.: SUBS - Two Argentina subs to start the half. Lisandro Martinez and Joaquin Correa in for Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez. Paredes had a yellow card and was just coming back from injury.

Halftime: Argentina started strong, but Brazil slowly grabbed hold of the game and it was playing it on its terms, creating a handful of the most dangerous chances. Argentina hasn't been sharp and Lautaro has been isolated up top similar to what occurred against Uruguay. More and better was expected from Argentina, but Brazil means business.

48th min.: Lautaro Martinez goes down in the box, but there's no infraction. Good no-call from the referee. Argentina pushing hard to end the first half.

45th min.: Lucas Paqueta and Leandro Paredes go nose to nose! Both get a yellow card. A little Lyon-PSG bad blood mixed in there, too.

41st min.: What a stop by Brazil's Alisson. Argentina finally responds with a shot by Rodrigo De Paul and it was destined for the low right corner, but Alisson digs it out.

39th min.: Another shot by Fred and it's right at Dibu Martinez. It's all Brazil. It's waiting for Argentina and when it wins the ball, the visitors are dangerous.

34th min.: What a play by Raphinha! He beats Acuna easily down the right side and then Otamendi takes out Raphinha with an elbow and has left his mouth bloodied. That should've been a red card against Otamendi every day of the week. It seems like the officials were looking at it, but no red card came.

27th min.: Raphinha rips another shot over the Argentina bar. And Brazil has slowly been getting its looks.

19th min.: Matheus Cunha almost scored a golazo! He nearly chipped Argentine 'keeper Dibu Martinez from midfield. Martinez watched the ball just go over the goal. That would've been an epic finish.

18th min.: What a chance for Vinicius Jr. one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he can't get it on target. This is the danger that Brazil can create in transition.

5th min.: No surprise that early on it's Argentina pushing numbers forward, but Brazil defending comfortably for now.

6:30 p.m.: Argentina's players want Kun Aguero to know they're thinking of him:

6:27 p.m.: Anthems. Brazil first. The fans at the Bicentenario are up for this one. Argentina's anthem played on the piano.

5:32 p.m.: Argentine fans in San Juan reminding Brazil of what happened this summer:

With coach Lionel Scaloni confirming that Messi will play , the only real question was whether Messi’s PSG teammate Leandro Paredes would also make his return from injury. He starts in place of center holding mid Guido Rodriguez. Outside of Messi and Paredes, the rest of the lineup is the same as from Friday's win in Uruguay.

Sevilla midfielder Papu Gomez is out after picking up a knee injury in his cameo appearance against Uruguay. Also not in the squad is Paulo Dybala, who was carrying a knock entering that Uruguay match and came out at halftime.

Vinicius Jr. replaces the injured Neymar in the lineup. Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is suspended with Liverpool’s Fabinho taking his place.

How to watch Argentina vs. Brazil in USA

The Argentina vs. Brazil World Cup qualifier from the Estadio Bicentenario of San Juan is available exclusively via fuboTV , which is the sole broadcaster of live matches from South American World Cup qualifying.

MORE: Neymar ruled out of qualifier vs. Argentina

In addition to matches involving Argentina and Brazil, every match from South American qualifying is carried by fuboTV , including on-demand replays.

Argentina will host the match at the Estadio del Bicentenario in San Juan, where it has won all six matches it has played there. A crowd of 25,000 is expected.