Implacable and faithful to their status as world champions, Argentina punished a faded Brazil Tuesday with a historic 4-1 win, securing their place at the 2026 World Cup. Everything seems to be going perfectly for coach Lionel Scaloni, even without superstar skipper Lionel Messi.
It was party time at the Monumental on Tuesday. The Albiceleste played total football with glorious touches and passes, transforming a difficult clash against arch-rivals Brazil into the “beating” that Brazilian winger Raphinha had predicted in reckless statements before the match. It ended with everyone jumping and Argentine fans shouting: “Olé, olé.”
Argentina gave Brazil no respite in the clásico. Before five minutes were up on the scoreboard, the side was ahead with a goal from Julián Álvarez, the all-terrain striker capable of sacrificing himself to cover the opponents' exit routes, troubling central defenders and scoring bangers.
Brazil only hinted at a reaction when Matias Cunha took advantage of a distraction by defender Cristian 'Cuti' Romero to score. But Argentina extinguished those hopes by slotting home a third. On a cold night in front of the lights, with Vinicius Jr under the lock-and-key of the local defence, Rodrygo not in the game and replaced at half-time and Raphinha more busy arguing with rivals than scoring, the game was up all too early.
It was a 4-1 scoreline only because goalkeeper Bento prevented a couple more goals. It will still go down in history as Brazil's worst defeat in a World Cup qualifier and one of the worst losses to their arch-rivals since a 3-0 defeat in 1964.
Absences? No problem
As in the 1-0 win over Uruguay last Friday in Montevideo, Argentina brushed off the absence of Messi, out with injury, and also striker Lautaro Martinez, along with a couple of tactical tweaks.
This is where Scaloni's merits begin to show. He took advantage of two difficult tests, without his most important player, to make room for fellow playmaker Thiago Almada.
The Lyon creative midfielder responded with a great goal to win at the Centenario stadium and the assist for Julián Álvarez in the first goal against Brazil.
Another good decision was to give an opportunity to Giuliano Simeone, the son of retired national team legend and Atlético Madrid coach Diego 'Cholo' Simeone, who worked hard in Montevideo and found glory against Brazil. On for the last 20 minutes of the match last Tuesday, he had the pleasure of scoring a goal, Argentina's fourth, smashing the ball home from a tight angle.
Scaloni's stamp
Scaloni’s skill as a coach can be seen in the high performing nature of his balanced midfield, which is capable of being combative and at the same time generating attacking opportunities.
On Tuesday, Enzo Fernández was in imperial form. The author of the second goal, finishing off a passage of play that included 35 passes, he also assisted Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina’s third.
“It was a team victory, we played as a team and that's why we minimised Brazil,” assessed Scaloni, who chose restraint when delivering his remarks. “This is not always going to be like this. Let the people enjoy it, let's hope this lasts as long as possible,” he added.
With qualification for the 2026 World Cup already assured, the coach has four games left to try out more variations and new players, although Scaloni himself is the first to declare that it is not easy to get into the national team, since almost none of his players drop below the necessary level to make room for new blood.
“For a coach it's a nice problem, but it's still a problem, because you see players who can contribute and then you say 'How do I get him in?,” he said.
“The team is there, beyond the names,” he said.
With just over a year to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Argentina's mission is to repeat the feat of Qatar 2022, even without knowing if Messi will be available for the tournament.
Still to play out the rest of a qualifying campaign that has already been won, Argentina is heading confidently towards the biggest challenge yet: making another mark in history and retaining the World Cup.
– TIMES/AFP
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