Argentina can sense something special. They're about 15 minutes away from a first major trophy for 28 years. Roberto Firmino tries to thread it through to Neymar but it's cut out. Groans from the home crowd.

And another yellow for Brazil. Lucas Paqueta this time. Screams coming from all sides of the pitch each time a foul is committed.

Renan Lodi has been dicing with danger and the referee finally loses patience with his latest foul. It's a yellow for the Brazil player. Argentina will not mind this at all. The hosts and defending champions are not only losing - they are also losing their discipline.

Messi is down in a heap after being caught by Renan Lodi's trailing leg. Then Neymar goes down after a foul by Rodrigo de Paul.

There's no way of sugar coating this. It's a dirty game!

A terrible pass by Thiago Silva intended for Ederson but instead it gifts Argentina a corner. That was really careless by the Chelsea defender. Brazil have sent on Vinícius Junior.

There's plenty of Argentina fans in the Maracana. They're getting louder and louder as the minutes tick by. More changes coming up.

The foul count rises to 29. About one every two minutes. Three yellows and countless bruises.

Argentina are 30 minutes away from a glorious night.

Roberto Firmino's introduction has certainly lifted Brazil. Neymar is playing with more freedom. Argentina are really up against it for the first time.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC One

Brazil are getting chances now, starting to grow into the game and getting numbers forward.

Brazil are enjoying their best moments of the game.

Richarlison lets fly from an angle inside the box and it forces Emiliano Martínez to beat it away.

Argentina have made a change. Defensive midfielder Guido Rodríguez is on.

Richarlison pokes home but the flag is straight up and it's ruled out for offside. That's certainly encouraged the locals though. They're out of their seats making a lot of noise.

Postpublished at 50 mins

50 mins

Argentina 1-0 Brazil

That's going to hurt!

Neymar is on the receiving end of a hard challenge by Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso right in front of the referee.

A yellow card all day long.

There's an air of urgency about Brazil and Richarlison is clearly shoved to the ground by Marcos Acuna just outside the box.

He's pleading with the referee for a free-kick but the Everton man gets nothing.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC One

I don't think Brazil have been anywhere near it so they had to think about how they can affect the game positively and had to make a change.

It's an attacking change as Liverpool's Roberto Firmino replaces Manchester United's Fred who was on a yellow card.

We're back under way.

And Brazil have made a change...

A timely reminder that Argentina have not won a major trophy since 1993. Messi was six-years-old! Is that all about to change?

21 fouls in the opening 45 minutes.

Thumbs up if you think we're going to see a red.

Allan Cervantes: This weekend is a football fan’s dream come true: the only thing that could make it better is Messi getting his first national victory tonight and England lifting their first trophy in years tomorrow! (more like “also tonight” )