In a surprising turn of events during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, Brazil and Argentina both faced defeat, shaking their campaigns as they battle for qualification. The losses were particularly concerning for Brazil, which has now dropped four of its last five qualifying matches.
Brazil’s Struggles Continue
Brazil suffered a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay, with Diego Gómez scoring the only goal in the first half. Gómez’s remarkable shot from the edge of the area sailed past the Brazilian defense and into the net, securing a crucial win for Paraguay. Brazil, despite controlling 71% of the possession, struggled to create opportunities, managing just three shots on target. Guilherme Arana came close to equalizing, but his shot was cleared off the line by Júnior Alonso, denying Brazil a much-needed goal.
Vinícius Jr. had two chances to get Brazil back into the game, but both attempts were saved by Paraguay’s goalkeeper Gatito Fernández. Brazil now sits in fifth place in the standings, with the top six teams earning automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Defender Marquinhos expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “The coach is still figuring out the best way for us to play, and that’s reflected in the result.” He also noted the lack of confidence among the players and emphasized the difficulty of the qualification process.
Argentina Stumbles Against Colombia
Argentina also experienced a setback, losing 2-1 to Colombia in Barranquilla. Despite the loss, Argentina remains at the top of the standings. James Rodríguez played a crucial role in Colombia’s victory, providing the assist for Yerson Mosquera’s header and later converting a penalty to secure the win.
Argentina equalized at the start of the second half with a goal from Nicolás González, but a foul by Nicolás Otamendi, confirmed after a VAR review, led to Rodríguez’s decisive penalty kick. Argentina, still missing Lionel Messi due to an ankle injury, will hope to see their star forward return for the next round of qualifiers in October.
Despite the loss, Argentina remains in a strong position with six wins from eight games, sitting two points ahead of Colombia in the standings.
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news.
Find Out How To Make Money As A Full Time Writer/Blogger Guide.
To Advertise, Advertise Your Affiliate Links on FollowGlobalTrends.com for Just $1 Per Link Per Month!
Related Articles
Brazil Stunned 1-0 by Paraguay in Olympic Qualifier
Messi Says He Won’t Play for Argentina at Paris Games
Written By Joe Brens