In a stunning display of football, Argentina, without their captain Lionel Messi, delivered a resounding 4-1 thrashing to arch-rivals Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match held in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (March 26, 2025).
Goals from Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister in the first half set the stage for a comfortable victory, before a late strike from substitute Giuliano Simeone sealed Brazil's fate. Matheus Cunha scored the lone goal for the struggling Brazilians.
Argentine Midfield Overpowers Toothless Seleção Attack
Argentina's midfield trio of Alvarez, Fernandez, and Mac Allister completely dominated the game, dictating the tempo and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Their relentless pressing and incisive passing left the Brazilian midfield and defense struggling throughout the match.
Conversely, Brazil's star-studded attack, featuring Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., and Raphinha, found no way past a resolute Argentine defense and failed to create any meaningful chances. Brazil remarkably did not win a single corner kick in the entire match, highlighting their attacking woes.
Argentina Secures World Cup Berth; Brazil's Form a Concern
This emphatic victory comes on the heels of Argentina already securing their qualification for the 2026 World Cup earlier in the day due to a draw between Bolivia and Uruguay. They now sit comfortably at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table.
For Brazil, this heavy defeat raises serious concerns about their form as they currently occupy the fourth spot, with other South American teams closing in. While their qualification is not yet in jeopardy, the manner of this loss will undoubtedly put pressure on the coach and the team management.
