Argentina Hands Heavy Defeat to Brazil and Qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

No Messi, No problem. Reigning World champions Argentina produced a spectacular performance against Brazil in the World Cup Qualifiers in Messi’s absence. Argentina was on fire from the kickoff and outplayed Brazil to get a 4-1 victory and qualify for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina now leads South America’s qualification group by a mile, while Brazil’s qualification still hangs in the balance.

Playing at Monumental de Núñez, Argentina looked comfortable in possession of the ball and pressed quickly as soon as they lost the ball. Alvarez squeezed Almada’s through ball from the close range into the back of the net to give Argentina the lead inside six minutes. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez doubled Argentina’s lead just six minutes later.

Brazil’s back four was in shatters after the second goal and struggled throughout the match to play from the back. They were struggling high when Romero’s mistake gave Brazil a lifeline at 26 minutes to get back in the game. Cunha stole the ball from Tottenham’s defender and drove a low but powerful shot past Martinez to decrease Brazil’s goal deficit.

However, any hopes of Brazil’s comeback were crushed when Mac Allister scored a beautiful goal in the 37th minute, giving Argentina a goal lead back. Almada provided a beautiful lofted cross from the left side of the pitch, which was finished by Liverpool’s midfielder past Brazil’s goalkeeper.

Raphinha and De Paul in dispute over a challenge during the Argentina-Brazil Match

Argentina controlled the game throughout the 90 minutes and Simeone came as a sub to score his first international goal for the home team, taking the score to 4-1. It was a tight finish by Simeone, son of Argentine legend and Atletico’s manager, Diego Simeone, and put a seal on a comprehensive win for Argentina.

Brazil’s head coach, Dorival Junior, appeared in the post-match news conference and was not happy about the team’s performance. “Everything we planned, from the first minute of play, did not happen,” said Dorival. “Argentina was much better in every way. I apologise to Brazil fans. We expected something very different from what we were shown. It was a very difficult night for us.”