Friday’s draw left Argentina with just two points from their opening three qualifiers.
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The result leaves Brazil in fifth place in the 10-team South American group with one win, one draw and one loss to their name after they failed to defeat their hosts, who were without the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.
The match was called off approximately 40 minutes before it was due to kick-off at 9pm local time (0000 GMT). The number of Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cups won by the pair, O País Pentacampeão claiming a record five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) to Argentina’s two (1978 and 1986).
Four teams will qualify automatically while a further country will progress via a play-off. In the most recent, however, in 2009 in Rosario’s Gigante de Arroyito stadium, Brazil took the spoils 3-1.
The Selecao, for their part, are looking for their second consecutive win in qualifying, and will enjoy the return of star forward Neymar, who was suspended for the first two qualifiers for his actions during the 2015 Copa America. Felipe Caideco opened scoring for Ecuador, and Edinson Cavani equalized for Uruguay early in the second half. Martino’s hopes of a first goal in the stages lie significantly at the feet of an in-form Gonzalo Higuain, with the Napoli striker having scored nine goals from 12 starts for his club this season in Serie A. Bolivia has three points from three matches. The match will now be played Friday instead.
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Argentina drew its last qualifying game 0 – 0 with Paraguay.
