2026 World Cup qualifiers: Argentina secures WC spot after which defeats Brazil 4-1

Argentina’s gamers rejoice defeating Brazil in a World Cup 2026 qualifying match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 25, 2025
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Defending champion Argentina celebrated all through Tuesday (March 25, 2025) because the workforce secured its place on the 2026 World Cup hours earlier than an historic 4-1 win over archrival Brazil.

Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay meant Argentina had sufficient cushion in South American qualifying to safe one of many continent’s six direct spots for the 48-team World Cup set to be co-hosted subsequent 12 months by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

After Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay at El Alto, about 85,000 raucous Argentina followers kicked off the festivities on the Monumental de Nunez Stadium regardless of the absence of Lionel Messi. They have been chanting into the night time in Buenos Aires, now extra assured their workforce can defend the World Cup title.

Brazil’s worst defeat

For Brazil, its worst deficit in South American World Cup qualifying historical past compounded strain on coach Dorival Júnior.

Brazil is in fourth place in South American qualifying with 21 factors, 10 behind Argentina however solely two behind second-place Ecuador, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Chile. Third-place Uruguay and fifth-place Paraguay even have 21 factors, and Colombia is one level behind them in sixth. Seventh-place Venezuela has 15 factors after a 1-0 win over Ninth-place Peru.

Brazil was lacking three common starters — goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhães and midfielder Bruno Guimarães — and wasn’t actually aggressive from begin to end.

It is the primary time Argentina has received each matches in opposition to Brazil in a World Cup qualifying event. The house victory was additionally Argentina’s first in opposition to the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

Messi uncertain

Argentina has led South American qualifying from the beginning, with few hiccups and main away wins at Brazil and Uruguay. However coach Lionel Scaloni has not fielded 37-year-old Messi in a number of video games, which nonetheless raises doubts on whether or not the star will play on the World Cup subsequent 12 months.

Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister scores his aspect’s third purpose in opposition to Brazil throughout a World Cup 2026 qualifying match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina
| Photograph Credit score:
AP

Messi has an harm to his adductor and was not included in Argentina’s squad for the 2 newest matches.

Striker Julián Álvarez mentioned Argentina’s huge win “is historic due to the rival, the context, what was mentioned, the good match we performed and since we’re certified to the World Cup.”

“Very humbly we did our work,” he mentioned.

Argentines run riot

Argentina scored its two first objectives in solely 12 minutes of play, each due to correct passing and a few clumsy Brazilian defending.

Alvarez netted the primary within the 4th minute after Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana failed to achieve the ball. The Argentina striker shot between the legs of goalkeeper Bento from shut vary.

Argentina scored once more eight minutes later with Enzo Fernández, as soon as once more from shut vary after a low cross by Gonzalo Molina.

Brazil received one again through Matheus Cunha within the twenty sixth after a mistake by Cristian Romero, who misplaced the ball to the Brazilian by the sting of the field. Enzo Fernandez discovered Alexis Mac Allister bursting into the penalty field unmarked 11 minutes later to make it 3-1 to Argentina.

Through the break, Brazil sought to get some grip by boosting its presence within the midfield with Joao Gomes and the substitution of Murillo and striker Rodrygo. Nevertheless it was to no avail, with Giuliano Simeone scoring for Argentina within the 71st after 4 Brazilian defenders failed to dam a low cross in entrance of their purpose.

Dorival below strain

“The whole lot we deliberate, from the primary minute of play, didn’t occur,” Brazil’s coach instructed a information convention. “Argentina was significantly better in each manner. I apologize to Brazil followers, we anticipated one thing very completely different from what we confirmed. It was a really troublesome night time for us.”

Brazil captain Marquinhos mentioned all gamers ought to have performed higher in Buenos Aires.

“It is not solely about Dorival,” Marquinhos mentioned. “This isn’t solely the coach’s fault, it’s the gamers too. We have to have our heads in the precise place. They (Argentina) additionally had powerful occasions earlier than and so they overcame it. We will do it too.”

Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil’s soccer confederation, mentioned he’d converse to the home media Wednesday, however did not reply whether or not Dorival Júnior was going to be his primary subject.

Argentine gamers celebrated with their followers, asking for “a minute of silence” for Brazil. Scaloni’s workforce has not misplaced to their rivals since 2019.

The subsequent South American World Cup qualifiers will probably be performed in June.