Argentina Thrashed Brazil While Playing Beautiful Football. Are They The Main Contenders To Win The World Cup In 2026?

Argentina thrashed Brazil 4-1 in the World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL Round 14 clash played at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, March 26. 

That the home team managed to do this without the presence of their legendary attacker Lionel Messi, who was ruled out with an injury, speaks volumes about the depth in their reserves.

The defending World Cup champions are currently ranked first in the FIFA rankings, as well as the same in their group table for this qualification tournament. 

Argentina have amassed 31 points after playing in 14 matches, in which they have won 10, drawn one and lost three. Brazil, meanwhile, are perched upon the fourth position of the same standings.

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez started the scoring for Argentina in the fourth minute, and their lead was doubled by Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez in the 12th. Brazil pulled one back in the 26th minute thanks to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ in-form attacker Matheus Cunha, but Premier League champions-elect Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister heaped more pain into Brazilian eyes with a goal in the 37th minute.

Brazil went into the half-time break 1-3 down, hoping to resurrect themselves in the second half, but sadly, it was not to be. 

Substitute Giuliano Simeone, who came onto the pitch in the 68th minute, replacing Thiago Almada on the wings, struck just four minutes later to seal the deal in his nation’s favour and cause even more pain to the Brazilian players and their supporters.

Argentina and Brazil’s rivalry goes back several decades, and the home team will be immensely proud of this result over their bitter foes. Brazil will find this result far too difficult to swallow, and will look for ways to come back as strong as possible. Argentina, managed by Lionel Scaloni, showed that they could dominate proceedings even if put up against opponents of the highest calibre.

At home, Argentina have not lost to Brazil yet, winning four and drawing three of the recently recorded contests. This will not go down well with the visiting side, who pride themselves on playing a flamboyant brand of football that involves less passing and more dribbling past opponents. Argentina seemed to know these tactics well, and marked Brazil’s attackers tightly.

One of the most important strategies that the home team used in this game was to allow the Brazilian attackers to pass the ball into less threatening situations and then mark them even closer as they drove forward into dangerous positions. 

In turn, this allowed the home team to regroup and focus on their zonal marking system, frustrating the Brazilian shot-takers.

How will Lionel Messi’s presence or absence help Argentina?

Argentina’s recent result also shows that they are ready to move on from Lionel Messi if he chooses not to play in the 2026 World Cup. 

Although he was one of the main reasons why they were able to win the crown in 2022, it seems highly unlikely that he will be fit and available for the next edition of the tournament. Currently, Messi has been ruled out with a groin injury.

There will always be a place for him in the squad, but Argentina have proven that they can very well make do without him as well. The stylish way in which they went about their business against Brazil makes them strong contenders for retaining their trophy, with very few teams daring to stand up against them. 

Brazil, for one, seem a shadow of their former self, and do not have the wherewithal to do so.

In Europe, France and Spain are among the only teams who seem capable of stopping the Argentine juggernaut, although England, Germany and the Netherlands do not seem too far off. 

Italy’s recent struggles in the UEFA Nations League have made it even more difficult for them, and the Azzurri look all set to miss out on qualifying for their third World Cup finals in a row.

Argentina do look the part, and they have covered all their bases. While their defence looks almost watertight, their midfield is manned by Fernandez and Leandro Paredes, who have enough experience to outmanoeuvre opposition teams and prevent them from running riot. 

These players also have the ability to create transitions while moving from defence to attack.

In attack, however, Argentina may seem to be a little poorer than their opponents at the World Cup, and this is where Messi needs to step in.

If he decides to play, he can be asked to do so as a substitute, while the likes of Alvarez, Simeone and Angel Correa play around him. The return of Lautaro Martinez, who has been ruled out with an injury, will also help Argentina at the World Cup. The Inter Milan attacker knows his wares well and can be relied upon at all times.

Overall, they seem to be a team that know how to deal with failure and prepare well for any kind of challenge coming their way, and the 2026 World Cup will be another feather they will wish to add to their already-embellished cap.

Having won the World Cup on three occasions and the Copa America 16 times has given Argentina a taste of what it feels like to be on the winning side, and they will loath to give this feeling away easily.