The current generation of Argentina players is one of the best ever even though the team have not won a major trophy in 22 years, coach Gerardo Martino said on Friday.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said there would be "consequences", including potentially for himself, after the holders' shock elimination from the World Cup on Wednesday, but that he needed time to reflect.
Both sides will be high on confidence with an aim to come out all guns blazing.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Sania ousted from Qatar Total Open.
The draw for the eight groups for the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which will be played from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil, was just held in Costa do Saupe near Salvador de Bahia.
Roberto Firmino scored twice and Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho also got goals as Brazil hammered Bolivia 5-0 in their opening World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo on Friday.
Manchester City have signed Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona on a four-year contract for an initial 18 million euros (15.37 million pounds), the clubs confirmed on Thursday.
Brazil is under intense pressure to breathe life into their World Cup campaign and produce a performance worthy of champions when they face Colombia and their free-scoring midfielder James Rodriguez in Friday's quarter-final.
Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata gave deposed champions Spain a comfortable consolation win over Australia in Curitiba.
New Zealand are placed in Group B along with Turkey, Paraguay and Mali.
Gabriel got the winning kick for Brazil after Gustavo Gomez and Derlis Gonzalez missed for the visitors. Roberto Firmino pulled his spot kick wide for the hosts.
World Cup sidelights: All the fun news from Brazil right here...
The researchers, led by Matias Jones of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, used the 1.5 m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the 2.2 m telescope at La Silla observatory in Chile, and the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian telescope in Australia.
Here's a collection of some of the best photos from around the world shot in the week gone by
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will again be duelling for the title of world's best footballer after their names once again headed the shortlist on Thursday for The Best FIFA Men's Player.
Luiz Felipe Scolari is blaming the some of the team's struggles, which include a disappointing performance that nearly led to its elimination by Chile in the second round, on the pressure of needing to succeed in front of the home fans.
Some of the best-known footballers are known for the tattoos they sport. They ink their arms, legs or torso with names of their loved ones, motivational quotes or random motifs. Here's a look at some of the players at the World Cup whose tattoos caught our fancy.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said his team were "three steps from heaven" after beating Chile on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Robin van Persie returns to the Dutch attack to face Mexico in the second round of the World Cup on Sunday while Mexican defender Hector Moreno will lock horns with his former mentor Louis van Gaal.
Hundreds of Argentines protested in the pouring rain on Saturday, demanding that soccer star Lionel Messi return to Argentina's national team after he unexpectedly quit following a loss in the regional Copa America final.
Photos of the World Cup match between Cameroon and Brazil being played in Brasilia
The suspension of captain Robin van Persie for Monday's World Cup Group B decider against Chile means the Netherlands will play an international without a player whose surname begins with 'Van' for the first time in almost two decades.
And so it was official. The reign of Spain was not merely on the wane - it was over.
Defending champions Spain will face the 'suicidal' attacking style of Chile at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday aiming to get their World Cup bid back on track and avoid an embarrassingly early exit.
Son of actors Jayabharathi and Sathaar, Krish Sathar tells us about his entry into films, working in Malini 22 and being directed by Sripriya.
Robinho scored a hat-trick to give Brazil a badly-needed 3-0 Copa America win over Chile.
Mourinho not concerned by Manchester United's slow pre-season
These images prove we live in a wonderfully weird world.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Rafael Nadal overcame a temporary blip on his way to victory at the ATP Cup on Saturday
Mexico's national team has launched a campaign to discourage fans from shouting homophobic slurs during football matches.
Spain defeated Australia 3-0 in their final World Cup Group B game on Monday, giving a modicum of respect to the defending champions' poor campaign.
Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero will miss Argentina's final South American World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Tuesday as the team who have already booked their place at next year's finals prepare to field yet more reserves.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Here's what your favourite Bollywood stars are tweeting.
Holders Brazil landed a tricky draw for the Copa America on Wednesday as they were thrown into Group B along with Mexico, Ecuador and Chile.
And, since, pictures speak more than words, Rediff.com brings you images from these sporting events and others that made headlines in the week gone by.
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