Argentina delivered a resounding 4-1 victory over Brazil in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing their dominance even in the absence of key stars like Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez.
The match, held at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, cemented Argentina’s status as the reigning world champion and extended Brazil’s struggles in the qualifiers.
Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay, Argentina faced Brazil with confidence. Despite missing Lionel Messi due to injury, as well as Lautaro Martínez, the team showed no signs of slowing down. Thiago Almada stepped up, scoring a crucial goal to keep Argentina’s momentum alive.
Messi’s reaction and a subtle dig at Raphinha
Though sidelined for this international window, Messi closely followed Argentina’s performances. After the emphatic win over Brazil, he took to Instagram to congratulate his teammates: “Inside, outside, wherever it may be with this National Team. Always speaking through soccer”.
“Congratulations on the great match you played last night and also on the win against Uruguay”. Messi’s words carried an air of unity and pride, but also seemed to include a subtle jab at Brazil’s Raphinha.
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Argentina celebrate 2026 World Cup spot with comfortable 4-1 derby win vs Brazil: Highlights and goals
Raphinha’s bold claim backfires
Before the match, Barcelona’s Raphinha had made a confident – and now infamous – statement in an interview with Brazilian legend Romário. He boldly declared: “We’re going to give Argentina a beating, no doubt. Am I going to score? Yes. With everything. Screw them.”
His comments did not go unnoticed, particularly by Ángel Di María, who responded with a pointed Instagram comment. However, it was Argentina’s performance on the pitch that delivered the most resounding response, leaving Raphinha and Brazil stunned.
Argentina’s momentum heading into the World Cup
With their place in the 2026 World Cup already secured, Argentina continues to prove why they are the team to beat. The commanding victory over their biggest rival not only silences doubters but also reaffirms their dominance on the international stage.
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As Messi and his teammates set their sights on future challenges, one thing is clear – Argentina are not just defending their title; they are sending a clear message to the rest of the soccer world that they are determined to retain their crown.
