Argentina are celebrating their 2026 World Cup qualification with a stunning 4-1 thrashing of archrivals Brazil in Buenos Aires.
Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone sealed an emphatic win on Tuesday for the world champions, who had been assured of their World Cup berth after Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay earlier within the day.
That goalless stalemate ensured a festive ambiance on the Estadio Monumental earlier than a ball had been kicked, and Argentina stored the social gathering going with a blistering efficiency.
Brazil, in the meantime, have been left issuing apologies through coach Dorival Junior and captain Marquinhos as their hopes of reaching subsequent yr’s match in the USA, Canada and Mexico have been left within the stability.
“What we did right here immediately can’t occur once more,” the latter informed Brazilian TV Globo.
“It’s arduous to speak about it within the warmth of the second. … It’s embarrassing.
“We began the sport very badly, far under what we may do, and so they’re on an awesome run of confidence. They knew how one can play sensible. … I’m sorry for our followers.”
Brazil hit by swift Argentina begin
Atletico Madrid ahead Alvarez opened the scoring after simply six minutes, latching onto Thiago Almada’s via ball and dinking a close-range end previous Brazil goalkeeper Bento.
It bought higher for Argentina six minutes later when Chelsea’s Fernandez tucked away the hosts’ second purpose of the evening after Brazil’s again 4 didn’t cope with a low cross.
With Brazil being run ragged by a rampant Argentina, they have been thrown a lifeline at 26 minutes after a blunder by Cristian Romero gifted a purpose to Matheus Cunha.
Tottenham defender Romero was caught in possession 23 metres (25 yards) from purpose, permitting Cunha to steal in and drive a low shot previous Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-1.
However any hopes of a Brazilian fightback have been snuffed out within the thirty seventh minute with an excellent purpose from Mac Allister.
Almada was as soon as once more the creator, lofting a cross into the realm that Mac Allister met with a first-time volley to make it 3-1.
With Argentina in full management, Simeone then introduced the home down with a 71st-minute strike to make it 4-1 – his first worldwide purpose.
The 22-year-old son of Argentina legend Diego Simeone in some way blasted into the roof of the web from an acute angle to crown a dominant efficiency by the hosts.
The win means Argentina have certified for subsequent yr’s finals in North America with 4 video games to spare.
The Argentinians lead the 10-team qualifying group with 31 factors from 14 video games and are assured one of many six computerized qualifying slots awarded to South America. Brazil are fourth.
Dorival has didn’t earn the belief of Brazil’s demanding followers after profitable simply seven of his 16 video games in cost since taking on in early 2024.
“All the things we deliberate, from the primary minute of play, didn’t occur,” Brazil’s coach mentioned at a information convention. “Argentina was a lot better in each method. I apologise to Brazil followers. We anticipated one thing very completely different from what we confirmed. It was a really tough evening for us.”
Marquinhos, who was jeered off together with his teammates after November’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay, added that every one gamers ought to have completed higher in Buenos Aires.
“It isn’t 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 suitable place. They [Argentina] additionally had powerful instances earlier than, and so they overcame it. We are able to do it too.”
Ecuador, Uruguay and Colombia all held
In different South American video games, Ecuador stayed on target for qualification with a 0-0 draw in opposition to Chile in Santiago. Ecuador are second within the standings, eight factors adrift of Argentina on 23 factors.
Uruguay’s draw with Bolivia – and Brazil’s heavy loss – allowed them to maneuver as much as third place on purpose distinction.
Colombia, in the meantime, missed the prospect to shut the hole on the leaders after a 2-2 dwelling draw with Paraguay in Barranquilla.
Objectives from Luis Diaz and Jhon Duran fired Colombia right into a 2-0 lead after simply 13 minutes, however Paraguay grabbed a share of the factors with objectives from Junior Alonso and Julio Enciso.
Venezuela boosted their hopes of a first-ever World Cup qualification with a 1-0 win over Peru in Maturin.
Salomon Rondon’s Forty first-minute penalty secured three treasured factors for Venezuela, who’re the one South American group by no means to have certified for the World Cup.
Venezuela’s win lifted them into seventh place within the desk, leaving them on target for an inter-confederation playoff.
