Lionel Scaloni's side showed no signs of missing his star man, as the reigning World Cup champions won comfortably at home
Julian Alvarez led the line with aplomb and Enzo Fernandez pulled the strings as Argentina rolled to a 4-1 win over Brazil Tuesday night to wrap up their World Cup qualification effort in style. La Albiceleste had already secured qualification before kickoff thanks to results elsewhere, but showed no signs of security, scoring three well-crafted goals in the first half and then seeing out the second to blow away their biggest rivals at home.
Argentina had little to play for. You wouldn't have known it. La Albiceleste, playing without Lionel Messi, started with a real attacking intent. They scored after just four minutes, Alvarez capitalizing off a couple of ricochets before finishing through the keeper's legs for a 1-0 lead. They made it 2-0 less than 10 minutes later, with Fernandez arriving at the back post to turn home Nahuel Molina's cross.
Brazil stuck around, though. Matheus Cunha, after barely having a sniff through the first 25 minutes, smashed one home from outside the box in the 26th. Argentina responded again, though, as Fernandez played a deft lobbed pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who completed the wonderful move with a dink over a sprawling goalie.
The Selecao switched things up at the break, introducing three new faces at half time. But it mattered little. Argentina exercised complete control throughout the second half, and were good value for their fourth, substitute Giuliano Simeone leathering one into the roof of the net from a tight angle to round off a memorable evening. A famous win wrapped up, the 2026 World Cup awaits.
GOAL rates Argentina's players from La Estadio Monumental…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Emiliano Martinez (7/10):
Certainly surprised by how early Cunha struck Brazil's goal. Pretty much nothing to do otherwise.
Nahuel Molina (7/10):
Handed the unenviable task of marking Vinicius Jr, and went about it with aplomb. Played the cross that led to the Argentina second. Never sexy, always effective.
Christian Romero (6/10):
Far too easily caught out to allow Cunha to score. Settled in thereafter, and offered a valuable extra body to mark Vinicius.
Nicolas Otamendi (7/10):
Flew into tackles, won his one-on-ones, and commanded space well. A proper captain's performance.
Nico Tagliofico (7/10):
Not much of the Brazil attack came down his side, but he handled it all well regardless. Grabbed an assist.
AdvertisementGettyMidfield
Leandro Paredes (7/10):
The metronome at the base of midfield. Kept play ticking from deep and helped relieve pressure with some clever passing.
Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):
Did all of the scrappy stuff, showed some valuable composure on the ball, and then scored a lovely goal.
Rodrigo De Paul (7/10):
Seemed to relish the big stage. Effective on the ball, flew into tackles, and got stuck in. Dirty work personified.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Scored one, assisted another, then seemed to spend the next hour or so trying to get himself sent off. Releived pressure plenty of times with his hold up play.
Thiago Almada (6/10):
Full of energy, and always looked to get involved – but failed the provide a moment of magic in the ilk of the one that beat Uruguay last week.
GettyAttack
Julian Alvarez (8/10):
Took his goal well, and spent all evening stretching the Brazil defence. A real handful in attack.
GettySubs & Manager
Giuliano Simeone (7/10):
Scored the goal that sealed it just two minutes after coming on.
Facundo Medina (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Nico Paz (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Exequiel Palacios (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Angel Correa (N/A):
Almost scored a fifth late on.
Lionel Scaloni (8/10):
Went unchanged from the side that beat Uruguay, and was vindicated in doing so. Argentina were excellent throughout, he got his subs right. Time to think about a World Cup repeat?
