Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup earlier in the day with Uruguay drawing against Bolivia, but they did not let up against their rivals Brazil in the Superclasico de las Americas. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez in the first 12 minutes put Argentina ahead 2-0, leading to a dominant 4-1 victory. This victory marks a historic achievement as Argentina became the first team to score four goals against Brazil in World Cup qualifying. It’s also the first time they’ve scored four against Brazil in any official match since the 1959 Copa America.

The absence of Messi, due to injury, did not hinder Argentina’s performance, as the midfield duo of Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister efficiently executed their attacks, exploiting gaps in the Brazilian defense. Brazil’s coach, Dorival Junior, has been grappling with finding balance in his team, and this loss highlights the stark difference in team dynamics between the two nations. Despite Brazil’s attempts to regroup following their 2-1 win over Colombia, they struggled to measure up to the team synergy displayed by Argentina. With this defeat, Brazil faces significant pressure to pivot and improve as they sit 4th in World Cup qualifying.

Argentina’s victory not only serves as a testament to their attacking prowess but also showcases their depth, with each goal scored by a different player, indicating a strong team effort. Looking forward, Argentina will continue to push forward, while Brazil must reconcile its shortcomings in upcoming matches.

Key Takeaways

• Argentina showcases depth scoring four different goals, demonstrating teamwork without Messi.
• Brazil faces challenge in rediscovering form and consistency as they aim to qualify for the World Cup 2026.

“¡GOOOL DE ARGENTINA! 🕷️ Julián Álvarez opens the scoring and the World Champions lead as expected.” — telefe