Argentina has officially booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they did it in emphatic fashion. The reigning champions delivered a stunning 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Brazil, making a bold statement in their qualifying campaign.
A goalless draw between Uruguay and Bolivia earlier had already confirmed Argentina’s qualification, but they weren’t content with simply cruising. Instead, they dismantled Brazil in a match that will be remembered for years.
Dominance from the Start
Argentina wasted no time asserting their dominance. Julián Álvarez opened the scoring just four minutes in, showing composure as he weaved past defenders and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Bento.
The pressure from Argentina didn’t stop there. In the 12th minute, Enzo Fernández doubled the lead with a well-placed shot inside the box. While Brazil managed to pull one back in the 26th minute through Matheus Cunha—courtesy of a defensive slip by Cristian Romero—the comeback hopes were short-lived.
Alexis Mac Allister restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion in the 37th minute, finishing off a crisp pass from Fernández. The final nail in the coffin came in the 71st minute when substitute Giuliano Simeone sealed the 4-1 win, handing Brazil one of their most humiliating defeats in World Cup qualifying history.
Brazil Left Searching for Answers
This loss piles pressure on Brazil’s head coach Dorival Júnior, who has struggled to win over the fans. His team now sits fourth in the South American standings with 21 points—far from the dominance they once commanded. Meanwhile, Argentina continues to lead the table with 31 points from 14 matches.
Brazil captain Marquinhos didn’t hold back in his post-match interview. “What we did today is unacceptable. It’s embarrassing. We started poorly and never recovered. Argentina played smart, and we didn’t match them.”
He also called for accountability within the squad, stating, “This isn’t just on the coach. We, as players, have to take responsibility. We need to be better.”
Historic Rivalry, One-Sided Affair
Argentina has now extended their unbeaten run against Brazil to six years, highlighting the growing gap between the two South American giants. What was expected to be a fierce battle turned into a one-sided affair, leaving Brazil desperate for answers.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Argentina has already shown they will be a force to reckon with. Brazil, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid further setbacks on their road to qualification.
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