With just four games to end the gruelling marathon qualifiers in South America, Argentina became the first side on the continent to qualify for the 20
With just four games to end the gruelling marathon qualifiers in South America, Argentina became the first side on the continent to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after thumping rivals Brazil 4-1.
Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires was the venue on early Wednesday morning for the Super Clash. No one will recall that there was no Lionel Messi on the night for Argentina after the imperious performance against the five-time world champions.
Argentina’s biggest problem was how they were going to do it without their star man, Messi after he had been the totem of the team for nearly two decades.
Lionel Scaloni’s side delivered without their skipper in March’s international break with wins over Uruguay and Brazil.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez’s 4th-minute opener announced to the Brazilians what they should expect on the night.
Enzo Fernandes doubled Argentina’s lead in the 12th minute. Matheus Cunha pulled one back in the 1st minute to make the score 2-1.
Alexis Mac Alister restored the World Champions’ two-goal lead, helping Argentina end the first half with a very comfortable 3-1 lead.
Giuliano Simeone, in the second half, scored his first-ever goal for La Albiceleste to condemn Brazil to an unbelievably embarrassing defeat.
Argentina’s 4-1 beating of Brazil will put head coach Dorival Junior under immense pressure.
In other games of the night, Bolivia drew goalless at home against Uruguay. Also, Chile welcomed Ecuador to Santiago and disappointingly drew goalless.
Colombia, through Luis Diaz and John Duran, took a commanding 2-0 lead against Paraguay in Barranquilla, but the visitors fought their way back and secured a 2-2 draw through Junior Alonso and Julio Enciso.
Venezuela, through Salomon Rondon’s first-half penalty, pipped Peru 1-0 to move to the playoff slot.
COMMENTS