The two South American superpowers rolled into London on Sunday to play a friendly international at Arsenal that truly captured the imagination of the capitals football fans.

Over 60,000 supporters packed into the Emirates Stadium to watch two countries who have won seven World Cups between them and provided a cavalcade of fantastic images down the years.

And, with both teams desperate to make up for their disappointing World Cup quarter-final exits in Germany, as well as ensuring bragging rights back home, this was always going to be more than a mere friendly.

For one afternoon, the usually drab streets around the stadium were transformed into a throbbing South American fiesta as Brazilians, Argentineans and anyone who loves football in its purest form descended on north London.

There was no mistaking the carnival atmosphere created by the samba rhythms and vivid colours around the ground as Brazils famous yellow shirt was proudly worn by thousands of fans.

The heirs to Brazil stars Pele and Garrincha and Argentinas Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes always have to cope with bigger expectations than most.

But the current crop undoubtedly have the talent to create their own memorable moments.

Brazil manager Dunga knows exactly what it takes to win a World Cup after lifting the trophy as a player in 1994 and, after succeeding Carlos Alberto Parreira in July, he has been charged with adding steel to his countrys galaxy of attacking stars. Dunga, in just his second game as coach, was without injured duo Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, but also took the surprising step of leaving out Kaka, AC Milans prodigiously gifted midfielder.

That move could well be his first step towards attempting to make Brazil into a cohesive unit rather than a collection of malfunctioning galaticos.

Argentina are also in a state of transition. Alfio Basile is back for his second spell as coach after Jose Pekerman resigned in the aftermath of that premature World Cup exit.

Unlike Dunga he kept faith with the majority of the players who had intermittently dazzled in Germany.

But it was striker Carlos Tevez and midfielder Javier Mascherano who took all the attention as they gave West Ham fans a glimpse of what they can expect after their surprise transfer deadline-day moves to the English Premiership club from Brazils Corinthians.