Argentina becomes first South American team to qualify for World Cup

 A draw against Brazil was enough for Argentina to become the first South American team to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Rafinha had threatened to blow away the Albiceleste before the match. But Brazil fell short of Lionel Scaloni's tactics on the field. Argentina, without Messi, destroyed Brazil and scored a goal. However, the current world champions had already secured their ticket to the World Cup to be held in the United States-Canada-Mexico before embarrassing their arch-rivals.

Messi-less Argentina crushed arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 in the Mas Monumental. The reigning world champions needed just one point to secure a place in the next World Cup. But they left the field with a full three points.

Uruguay drew 0-0 with Bolivia before this match. With that, Lionel Scaloni's team became the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup. McAllister and Enzo Fernandez made the occasion memorable in a great victory over their arch-rivals.

Argentina has 31 points after 10 wins and 1 draw in 14 qualifying matches. This time, 6 teams from the South American region will directly qualify for the final round. Seventh-placed Bolivia was the only team to qualify for the top six. But their draw with Uruguay has left them with 14 points from 14 matches. If they win all four of their remaining matches, their tally will stand at 26 points. As a result, Argentina is out of their reach.

The number of teams in next year's World Cup has increased from 32 to 48. So far, a total of 7 teams have confirmed their participation in the final round. The hosts, the United States, Canada and Mexico, have already confirmed their places. The remaining teams are Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and Iran.

Argentina took the lead in the 4th minute of their home game against Brazil today, thanks to a goal by Julián Alvarez. Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead 12 minutes later. Mathias Cunha equalized in the 26th minute.

Alexis McAllister doubled Argentina's lead in the 37th minute of the first half. Then Giuliano Simeone put the final nail in Brazil's coffin in the 71st minute of the second half.