News of qualifying

Argentina thrash Brazil, clinch 2026 World Cup qualification

Yesterday 22:35 Goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Simeone secure a convincing 3-1 win over Brazil as Albiceleste becomes first South American side to book its place at the World Cup 2026.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina on brink after Almada strike sinks Uruguay

22-03-2025 08:47 Win means Argentina can become first team from region to book a place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a victory over arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina top World Cup qualifying group – but are they running on fumes?

21-11-2024 17:36 If the Albiceleste, as some of the more hysterical sectors of the sporting press have begun to hint, is entering a crisis, it is an extremely curious kind of crisis.

by Dan Edwards

International football

Dominant Messi in no rush to walk away from Argentina

19-10-2024 09:32 Tuesday night’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia proved to be another dream evening for Argentina's evergreen talisman, who once more rolled back the years to leave his audience spellbound and wanting more.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina held by Venezuela in World Cup 2026 qualifiers

10-10-2024 22:56 Venezuela held Argentina to a 1-1 draw at home on Thursday in the ninth round of South America's World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi-less Albiceleste drop points – but no need to panic

12-09-2024 16:47 Argentina caught a glimpse of what that future without Lionel Messi may hold. And thankfully, it is not entirely bleak.

by Dan Edwards

CHAOS IN THE MARACANÃ

‘Always the same’ – Bittersweet win in Maracanã marred by ugly scenes

22-11-2023 12:10 National team coach Lionel Scaloni’s comments cast doubt over his future and delivered another twist in the tale to a stunning and shocking night in Rio de Janeiro.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP QUALIFERS

Uruguay stun Argentina at the Bombonera in World Cup qualifier

17-11-2023 00:43 Uruguay ends Albiceleste's 14-match unbeaten streak with a surprise 2-0 victory over the world champions at La Bombonera.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Uruguay, with Suárez back, pose challenge for unbeaten Albiceleste

15-11-2023 15:28 The reunion of best friends Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in the centennial River Plate Derby between Argentina and Uruguay will give a new dimension to Thursday's South American World Cup qualifying clash.

International football

Albiceleste continue to impress, with or without Messi

19-10-2023 16:56 Shorn of the team's heart against Paraguay, Argentina reacted by recreating him across the pitch. Against Peru, on the other hand, the system was king, centred around Messi.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP QUALIFERS

Messi double helps Argentina stay perfect in World Cup qualifiers

18-10-2023 08:27 Lionel Messi's first-half brace against Peru left reigning world champions Argentina on top of the South American qualifying table with 12 points from four games.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Captain Otamendi makes it three in three for unstoppable Argentina

12-10-2023 23:57 The Albiceleste armband does seem to bestow superhuman powers on its bearer, and on Thursday it was Nicolás Otamendi who was the beneficiary as the defender scored one of the finest goals of his career to set Argentina on the way to another World Cup qualifying victory.

by Dan Edwards

ROAD TO WORLD CUP 2034

Argentina maintains winning start in World Cup qualifiers

12-10-2023 23:46 The world champions made it three wins out of three in World Cup qualifying on Thursday with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Paraguay.

Ticket prices

Rich fans only: South Americans grumble over cost to watch football

10-10-2023 14:44 Fútbol del pueblo? Not so much – watching the region’s stars play in the flesh has become inaccessible to most as ticket prices hit the roof.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Who else? Messi free kick gives Argentina 1-0 win over Ecuador

07-09-2023 23:13 Lionel Messi's stepped up to save the day once again for Argentina on Thursday night, his marvellous free-kick securing a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador.