Argentina celebrated qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by hammering fierce rivals Brazil 4-1 on Tuesday.
2026 World Cup qualification South America
4-1
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Highlight from Argentina vs Brazil
4' GOAL! Julián Alvarez opens the scoring within 4 minutes! Argentina 1-0 Brazil
12' GOAL! Enzo nets the second goal through brilliant teamwork! Argentina 2-0 Brazil
22' Match Event for Argentina vs Brazil
26' GOAL! Matheus Cunha's goal brings them back into the game! Argentina 2-1 Brazil
36' Match Event for Argentina vs Brazil
37' GOAL! Alexis Mac Allister scores to extend their lead! Argentina 3-1 Brazil
40' Yellow Card! Tagliafico & Raphinha booked!
46' Endrick for Rodrygo, João Gomes for Joelinton, Léo Ortiz for Murillo!
48' Julián Alvarez's long-range effort saved top center!
60' Nicolás Tagliafico's header from close range went just over the bar!
68' Highlight from Argentina vs Brazil
71' GOAL! No more plot twist! Giuliano Simeone makes it FOUR! Argentina 4-1 Brazil
76' Raphinha hits bar with a left footed shot from outside box from a free kick!
77' Highlight from Argentina vs Brazil
80' Match Event for Argentina vs Brazil
82' Match Event for Argentina vs Brazil
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90' Match Event for Argentina vs Brazil
Match Report
Lionel Scaloni’s team, who are the defending world champions, were assured of their place in next year’s tournament prior to taking on the Selecao, with Bolivia having failed to beat Uruguay.
Argentina were without the injured Lionel Messi or Lautaro Martinez, but marked their qualification in style with a dominant display at Estadio Mas Monumental. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez helped them take a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.
Cristian Romero gifted Brazil a way back into the contest in the 26th minute, with Matheus Cunha taking full advantage.
But Alexis Mac Allister restored Argentina's two-goal cushion with a deft finish on the volley after meeting Fernandez's pinpoint cross.
Substitute Giuliano Simeone added further gloss as he smashed home three minutes after coming on midway through the second half.
Raphinha hit the crossbar for Brazil, who sit in fourth spot in qualifying, 10 points behind Argentina.
La Albiceleste join Japan, Iran and New Zealand in securing qualification for the World Cup, along with co-hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States.
#Eliminatorias Ah, nos olvidamos de subir este…
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) March 26, 2025
Ahora sí, buenas noches pic.twitter.com/Fj1QmgK1CA
Data Debrief: Doing the double
After a 1-0 win back in November 2023, this is the first time Argentina have won both matches against Brazil in a World Cup qualification campaign. It is also the first time they have beaten the Selecao on home soil since qualification for the 2006 World Cup.
Intriguingly, Scaloni named the same team on Tuesday as he did in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against Croatia, with the exception being Thiago Almada coming in for Messi.
This was a statement win for the reigning world champions, though. They had 12 shots to Brazil's three, with the latter's only attempt on target being Cunha's goal.
Argentina finished with 1.78 expected goals to Brazil's 0.12, further underlining their dominance.
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Otamendi, E. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Molina, Cristian Romero, Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Alvarez, Enzo
Subs: Gerónimo Rulli, Pezzella, Walter Benítez, Correa, Exequiel Palacios, Foyth, Facundo Medina, Balerdi, Máximo Perrone, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Benja Domínguez
Brazil XI: Marquinhos, Joelinton, Arana, Raphinha, Vinicius, Matheus Cunha, Rodrygo, Bento, André, Wesley Vinícius França Lima, Murillo
Subs: Weverton, Sandro, Lucas Perri, Léo Ortiz, Éderson, João Pedro, João Gomes, Savinho, Vanderson, Beraldo, Endrick, Estêvão