Argentina defeat Brazil 1-0 in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday in an intense 2026 World Cup qualifier match marked by pre-game crowd disruptions that delayed kick-off.

Nicolas Otamendi, a veteran defender, scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute, securing Argentina’s triumph. The result comes after the world champions’ recent defeat to Uruguay, allowing them to beat their fierce South American adversaries.

This victory at Rio’s renowned Maracana Stadium now places Argentina at the top of the South American qualification standings with 15 points from six games.

Brazil, on the other hand, has suffered its third defeat of the qualifying matches, placing them in sixth position with only seven points from six games.

The game’s environment became heated before kick-off, with Brazilian police using force to disperse a group of Argentine fans in the stadium. Several Argentina players tried to intervene, with goalkeeper Emi Martinez even attempting to approach a baton-wielding Brazilian police officer to maintain peace.

Lionel Messi and his teammates briefly returned to their dressing room amidst the chaos but eventually resumed the match after a 30-minute delay from the scheduled start time.

Throughout a tense first half, neither team created significant goal-scoring opportunities, with the game punctuated by numerous fouls and bookings.

Brazil’s frustration continued into the second half when Otamendi, at 35 years old, scored the only goal of the match with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Giovani Lo Celso.

The night took a turn for the worse for Brazil when substitute Joelinton was sent off in the 82nd minute after an off-the-ball clash with De Paul.

This dramatic victory for Argentina further solidifies their position in the World Cup qualifying stages, while Brazil faces a challenging road ahead.