Argentina thumps rival Brazil 4-1 after securing 2026 World Cup berth

Buenos Aires: Argentina celebrated its 2026 World Cup qualification with a dazzling 4-1 thrashing of arch-rival Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone sealed an emphatic win for the world champion, which had been assured of its World Cup berth after Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay earlier on Tuesday.

That goalless stalemate ensured a festive atmosphere at the Estadio Monumental before a ball had been kicked and Argentina kept the party going with a blistering performance.

Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez opened the scoring after just six minutes, latching onto Thiago Almada’s through ball and dinking a close-range finish past Brazil goalkeeper Bento.

It got better for Argentina six minutes later when Chelsea’s Fernandez tucked away the hosts’ second goal of the night after Brazil’s back four failed to deal with a low cross.

With Brazil being run ragged by a rampant Argentina, it was thrown a lifeline on 26 minutes after a blunder by Cristian Romero gifted a goal to Mattheus Cunha.

Tottenham defender Romero was caught in possession 25 yards from goal, allowing Cunha to steal in and drive a low shot past Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-1.

But any hopes of a Brazilian fightback were snuffed out in the 37th minute with a superb goal from Mac Allister.

Almada was once again the creator, lofting a pass into the area which Mac Allister met with a first-time volley to make it 3-1.

With Argentina in complete control, Simeone brought the house down with a 71st-minute strike to make it 4-1 - his first international goal.

Simeone, the 22-year-old son of Argentine legend Diego Simeone, somehow blasted into the roof of the net from an acute angle to crown a dominant performance by the host.

The win means Argentina has qualified for next year’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada with four games to spare. Agencies

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