Reigning world champions, Argentina, have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and all-but-booked secured top spot in South America’s qualifying series, putting up a rampant display to dispatch Brazil 4-1 in Buenos Aires.
The result put Argentina on 31 points after 14 matches, 10 points clear of Brazil, who remain in fourth spot with 21 points, level on points with Uruguay and Paraguay, and just a point ahead of sixth-placed Colombia.
Julian Alvarez put Argentina ahead after only four minutes, receiving a pass from Thiago Almada before muscling off attention from Brazil’s defenders and poking past Bento for the opener.
Enzo Fernandez soon doubled the advantage and have the home crowd at the Monumental bouncing when he found himself at the right place to tap home a deflected cross into the Brazil area.
Matheus Cunha pulled one back for Brazil against the run of play, with the Wolves man nicking the ball off Cristian Romero before shooting low past Emiliano Martinez just before the half-hour mark.
Argentina’s two-goal lead was restored 10 minutes later through Alexis Mac Allister as the Liverpool midfielder beat Bento to a delightful pass over the Brazil defence to score the home side’s third.
Alvarez came close to making a napping Brazil defence pay, latching on to a poor header by Guilherme Arana only to see his lob at goal tipped over by Bento.
The fourth goal would finally come 20 minutes from time through Giuliano Simeone, as the Atletico Madrid midfielder beat Arana to fire into the net from the near post.
Raphinha, who had told Romario before the match he would score a goal, saw his chance to do just that come off the post from a long-range free-kick as Argentina held on for a big win over their arch-rivals.
The Barcelona star would end up needing to be restrained from fighting as he received special attention from Martinez and a few other Argentina players at full-time over his pre-match comments.