Argentina Humiliate Rivals Brazil 4-1 Without Messi To Make World Cup History
Argentina emphatically stamped their dominance over bitter rivals Brazil with a stunning 4-1 victory in Buenos Aires, sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the process and inflicting Brazil's worst defeat in World Cup qualifying history. Significantly, La Albiceleste achieved this feat without their superstar Lionel Messi, showcasing their formidable strength in depth and raising questions over Brazil’s prospects heading into the tournament.
Even before kick-off at El Monumental, Argentina's World Cup ticket was confirmed thanks to Bolivia's draw with Uruguay. Yet far from easing off, Lionel Scaloni’s men delivered a relentless performance that overwhelmed Brazil, whose mounting internal issues and inconsistency were brutally exposed.
The reigning world champions raced ahead inside twelve minutes, with Julián Alvarez finishing a slick move after just four minutes before Enzo Fernández doubled the advantage. Despite a mistake that allowed Matheus Cunha to pull one back for Brazil, Argentina rapidly restored control through Alexis Mac Allister’s strike just before halftime. Substitute Giuliano Simeone then capped an electric team display by adding a fourth with nineteen minutes remaining, sparking wild celebrations around the stadium.
It marked the first time Argentina had scored four goals against Brazil in a competitive fixture since the 1959 Copa America, and the first ever to do so in World Cup qualifying—a feat especially impressive given the absence of Messi and Lautaro Martínez. Instead of languishing, Scaloni’s side used this opportunity to display a new generation of stars, with youngsters like Thiago Almada and Nico Paz contributing to an increasingly balanced and dynamic squad primed for sustained success.
Reflecting on the moment, Alvarez expressed pride: “It was a historic result, winning by 4-1. We gave them a show and I’m so happy for the fans.” The unity was evident as each of Argentina’s four goals came from a different scorer, underlining a cohesive team effort beyond reliance on superstar names.
The defeat left Brazil’s captain Marquinhos apologising publicly: “What we did here can’t happen again… It’s embarrassing.” His comments echoed a growing frustration within the Seleção and their passionate supporters, highlighted by how little control Dorival Júnior’s side demonstrated during the match despite the talents of Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha.
Pressure now mounts on Dorival Júnior, who has won only seven of fifteen matches since taking over in early 2024. Brazil’s recent victory over Colombia appeared a hopeful turning point, yet this collapse signalled deep-seated issues—lack of cohesion, lapses in defence, and a struggle to convert individual quality into collective performance. They currently sit fourth in the South American qualifying standings and are far from secure with four matches remaining.
The encounter also had its fiery moments. Pre-match comments from Raphinha about ‘beating Argentina up on and off the pitch’ only fueled the Albiceleste’s motivation, culminating in a melee after the Brazilian winger’s late first-half challenge. Argentina boss Scaloni played peacemaker, noting Raphinha “was just defending his team,” but these flashpoints magnified the rivalry’s intensity.
Looking ahead, Argentina now have the luxury to experiment in upcoming fixtures, nurturing future stars and bolstering tactical options. Brazil, meanwhile, face a daunting task to regroup and rediscover their identity or risk a disastrous qualification campaign.
Argentina’s dismantling of Brazil without Messi was more than a historic result—it was a seismic statement of intent. Can Brazil bounce back from this humiliation, or are we witnessing a power shift in South American football? Share your thoughts and join the debate below.
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