In a remarkable display of dominance, Argentina overwhelming defeated Brazil 4-1 in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier held at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on March 25, 2025. The match not only showcased Argentina's skill and strategy on the field but also marked a historic achievement for the team as they became the first to ever score four goals against Brazil in the history of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Missing their star player Lionel Messi, Argentina reaffirmed their status as a top contender for the upcoming World Cup while Brazil struggled to find their footing.
From the opening whistle, Argentina proved to be a relentless force. Within the first four minutes, Julian Alvarez opened the scoring with a goal that was a result of a well-coordinated play. Rodrigo De Paul initiated the action with a long ball to Nicolas Tagliafico, who headed it to Thiago Almada. From there, Almada skillfully fed the ball to Alvarez, and despite a rebound from Brazilian defender Murillo, Alvarez managed to find the back of the net, igniting the home crowd. "¡GOOOL DE ARGENTINA! 🕷️ Julián Álvarez abre el marcador y dice que los campeones del mundo ganan en el arranque 💪 3' | 🇦🇷 Argentina 1 - 0 Brasil 🇧🇷 Mirá #ArgentinaXTelefe con los comentarios de @JPVarsky y relatos de @giraltpablo por MiTelefe.com/vivo 🎙"
Just minutes later, Argentina struck again in the 12th minute. Enzo Fernandez capitalized on a precise cross from right-back Nahuel Molina, tapping it in to double Argentina's lead. The early goals were particularly significant, marking the first time Brazil had conceded twice so quickly in a World Cup qualifier since June 2005. In that match, Argentina's legends Hernan Crespo and Juan Román Riquelme had also scored two goals against Brazil within the first 20 minutes.
Brazil managed to pull one back in the 26th minute when Matheus Cunha intercepted a pass from Argentine defender Cristian Romero, scoring with a clinical finish. This goal marked Romero's first concession against Brazil in his fourth match against them. "¡GOL DE BRASIL! ⚽️ Error en la salida del Cuti Romero y Cunha no perdonó 26' | 🇦🇷 Argentina 2 - 1 Brasil 🇧🇷 Mirá #ArgentinaXTelefe con los comentarios de @JPVarsky y relatos de @giraltpablo por MiTelefe.com/vivo 🎙" Despite this setback, Argentina continued to dominate the match, refusing to let Brazil build any momentum.
In the 37th minute, Alexis Mac Allister scored the third goal for Argentina following a brilliant set-piece. Enzo Fernandez delivered a perfect cross allowing Mac Allister to volley it home, pushing the score to 3-1 just before halftime. "¡GOOOL DE ARGENTINA! 🎩 Asistencia de Enzo y Mac Allister pone el tercer gol de la noche para Argentina ⭐️ 34' | 🇦🇷 Argentina 3 - 1 Brasil 🇧🇷 Mirá #ArgentinaXTelefe con los comentarios de @JPVarsky y relatos de @giraltpablo por MiTelefe.com/vivo 🎙" As the teams headed into the locker room, Argentina established a commanding lead while Brazil needed to regroup.
The second half saw Argentina maintain their aggressive approach. Substituting Almada for Giuliano Simeone proved effective, as Simeone scored just three minutes into his entry, finding the net in the 71st minute. He rocked the stadium with another determined strike after receiving a cross from Tagliafico, sealing the victory at 4-1. "¡GOOOL DE ARGENTINA! 😎 Giuliano Simeone revienta el arco para sellar la goleada en casa 🏟️ 71' | 🇦🇷 Argentina 4 - 1 Brasil 🇧🇷 Mirá #ArgentinaXTelefe con los comentarios de @JPVarsky y relatos de @giraltpablo por MiTelefe.com/vivo 🎙"
This emphatic win not only solidified Argentina's successful qualification for the upcoming World Cup but also highlighted their tactical prowess, which was evident in a stunning goal born from a sequence of 33 consecutive passes involving every player on the team, culminating in a goal by Enzo Fernandez. This play demonstrated the genius of the world champions and how they could function as a cohesive unit.
The match also had broader implications, with Brazil slipping to the fourth position in the standings. Argentina, now assured of their place in the World Cup, celebrated this win as a significant milestone. Alongside Argentina's victory, other notable matches took place during the qualifiers. Colombia drew 2-2 with Paraguay, and Venezuela defeated Peru 1-0. These results further shaped the competitive landscape of South American football as the qualifiers progressed.
In the end, Argentina's triumph over Brazil was more than just a scoreline; it was a statement of their readiness for the World Cup and their determination to defend their title. With a mix of skilled players stepping up in place of Messi and a strategy that overwhelmed their rival, Argentina has proven they remain a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
