Argentina delivered a statement performance in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier, crushing Brazil 3-0 in a one-sided contest at the Maracanã Stadium. The victory not only secured Argentina’s place in the tournament but also marked Brazil’s heaviest home defeat in World Cup qualifying history.
From the outset, Argentina controlled the tempo, pressing high and forcing Brazil onto the back foot. The breakthrough came early, with Julian Alvarez capitalising on a defensive lapse to put Argentina ahead in the 12th minute. The home side struggled to recover from the setback, failing to create clear chances against a well-drilled Argentine defence.
Lionel Messi doubled Argentina’s lead in the 38th minute, converting a perfectly timed pass from Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine captain dictated play throughout the match, pulling the strings in midfield while constantly troubling the Brazilian backline. Brazil, missing Neymar due to injury, lacked the attacking fluency required to break down Argentina’s resolute defence.
As Brazil pushed forward in search of a comeback, Argentina exploited the spaces left behind. Lautaro Martinez sealed the victory in the 68th minute with a composed finish, extinguishing any hopes of a late Brazilian resurgence. Despite desperate efforts from Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, Brazil failed to find a way past Argentina’s defensive unit, led by Cristian Romero.
The result cemented Argentina’s position at the top of the South American qualifiers, keeping their unbeaten record intact. For Brazil, the defeat raises concerns over their form as they continue to struggle in the qualifiers.
After the match, Messi praised his team’s effort, stating, “A great team performance, and an important step towards our goal.” Brazil’s coach, on the other hand, admitted his side’s shortcomings, saying, “We lacked composure in key moments. We need to improve before it’s too late.”
With this emphatic victory, Argentina officially books their place in the 2026 World Cup, while Brazil must regroup quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive.
