Football

Argentina vs Brazil (4-1) Player Ratings & Match Summary | Holders Secure 2026 World Cup Spot Without Leo Messi

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published26 Mar 2025

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Reigning world champions Argentina claimed a thumping 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Brazil at Mas Monumental Stadium to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Despite playing without their captain and record scorer, Lionel Messi, La Albiceleste toyed with O Selecao, scoring three goals in the first half and adding the cherry on top in the second 45. Tuesday night’s (25 March) victory took Argentina’s tally to 31, making them the first South American nation to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Brazil, meanwhile, dropped to fourth place in the CONMEBOL rankings. Dorival Junior’s men are now trailing Lionel Scaloni’s leaders by 10 points.

Argentina 4-1 Brazil: Match Summary

Argentina, who had beaten Brazil 1-0 in their previous 2026 World Cup qualifying meeting in 2023, enjoyed a brisk start in Buenos Aires, putting their noses in front just four minutes into the game. Rodrigo De Paul sent a delightful diagonal ball to Nicolas Tagliafico, who nodded it down to Thiago Almada. The Lyon winger turned away from Marquinhos before playing a slide-rule for Julian Alvarez inside the box. The Atletico Madrid forward squeezed past Murillo before slotting the ball beyond Bento Krepski from close range.

Eight minutes later, Argentina doubled their money, with Enzo Fernandez finishing off a brilliant team move. Following a few sharp es, the ball shifted to Nahuel Molina on the right side. The right-back sprayed a low cross into the box, which took a deflection off Murillo and went to Fernandez lurking at the far post. The Chelsea man applied a cool finish to make it 2-0.

Brazil got one back against the run of play in the 26th minute, with Matheus Cunha snatching the ball away from Cristian Romero and beating the goalkeeper from close range. The goal, however, did not take the wind out of Argentina’s sails. They restored their two-goal advantage in the 37th minute, as Alex Mac Allister applied a first-time finish to send Fernandez’s inch-perfect long ball into the back of the net.

Argentina completed the routing in the 71st minute, with Giuliano Simeone scoring emphatically with his first touch.

Now, let us turn our attention to the complete Argentina vs Brazil player ratings.

Argentina Player Ratings vs Brazil (4-1 Victory)

Emiliano Martinez (6/10):

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had a quiet Tuesday. He conceded one goal and did not have to make a single save. The Aston Villa goalkeeper also delivered seven accurate long balls and made seven recoveries.

Nahuel Molina (6.5/10):

The Atletico Madrid right-back put in a solid shift against Brazil. He completed 44 es with 92% accuracy, made four recoveries, and was integral to Enzo Fernandez’s goal.

Cristian Romero (6/10):

The Tottenham Hotspur man cost Emiliano Martinez his clean sheet on Tuesday. But that blunder aside, Romero had a decent game. He made seven recoveries, made two interceptions, and won four ground duels.

Nicolas Otamendi (7/10):

Veteran centre-back Nicolas Otamendi was excellent in the 4-1 victory over Brazil. He was the most accurate er on the field, with a success rate of 98% (51 of 52). He also won both his tackles, delivered four accurate long balls, and made two recoveries.

Nicolas Tagliafico (7/10):

Argentina’s flying left-back, Nicolas Tagliafico, was integral to two goals against Brazil, engineering the first one and assisting Guiliano Simeone for the fourth. He also created a chance, played two es into the final third, and completed two clearances.

Leandro Parades (6.5/10):

Holding midfielder Leandro Parades produced a sure-footed performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Brazil. He completed 59 of 61 es, delivered three accurate long balls, and made five recoveries.

Rodrigo De Paul (7.5/10):

Argentina’s beating heart, Rodrigo De Paul, completed the most es in the game with 68. He also created a chance, delivered a whopping 10 accurate long balls, made three recoveries, won six ground duels, and drew three fouls.

Enzo Fernandez (8.5/10):

Chelsea maestro Enzo Fernandez was at the top of his game against Brazil. Not only did he apply a smart finish to make it 2-0 for Argentina, but he also delivered a jaw-dropping long ball for Alexis Mac Allister to turn in. Additionally, the 24-year-old created two big chances, won two tackles, drew four fouls, and came out on top in seven ground duels.

Alexis Mac Allister (7.5/10):

The Liverpool midfielder applied a confident finish to make it 3-1 for Argentina on Tuesday. He also made five recoveries, won two duels, and played three es into the final third.

Thiago Almada (7/10):

Thiago Almada made the most of his quick feet and composure to send Julian Alvarez through on goal. He also made five recoveries, drew two fouls, and completed 30 es with 83% accuracy.

Julian Alvarez (7.5/10):

With Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi missing out due to injuries, Julian Alvarez led the Argentina attack with authority. The 25-year-old’s goal showcased his determination and finesse while also making himself useful at the back, recording five recoveries and winning two tackles. A solid shift.

Substitutes:

Giuliano Simeone (68′) (7/10): Coming on for Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone made himself useful right away, scoring with his first touch. The Atletico Madrid man had a couple of touches inside the box, won his only ground duel, and drew a foul.

Facundo Medina (76′) (6.5/10): Facundo Medina came in for Nicolas Tagliafico. He completed a dribble and won two ground duels.

Nico Paz (76′) (6/10): Highly rated young midfielder Nico Paz created a chance and played four accurate es after coming on.

Exequier Palacios (82′) & Angel Correa (82′): N/A

Brazil Player Ratings vs Argentina (4-1 Defeat)

Bento (5/10):

Came in to replace the injured Alisson. He made three saves but never looked confident under the bar.

Wesley (5/10):

Did not put any pressure on the Argentine players and was also caught out of position on a few occasions.

Marquinhos (4.5/10):

Brazil fans expected better from their captain Marquinhos on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back could not lead by example.

Murillo (4.5/10):

The No. 14 lost the duel with Julian Alvarez for Argentina’s opening goal, whereas his unfortunate deflection paved the way for Enzo Fernandez’s insurance goal. Came off at half-time.

Guilherme Arana (5/10):

The 27-year-old could not deal with Argentina’s pace. Played only four es into the final third and lost three ground duels.

Andre (6/10):

Playing in double pivot, Andre won a couple of excellent tackles. He also came out on top in six ground duels and drew three fouls. Vertical movement, however, was missing.

Joelinton (5.5/10):

Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton lost both his tackles and played only one into the final third before Dorival Junior hooked him at half-time.

Raphinha (6.5/10):

Raphinha hit the woodwork once from two shots. He also came out on top in five ground duels, drew two fouls, and made two recoveries.

Matheus Cunha (6.5/10):

Did ever so well to press and force a mistake out of Cristian Romero in the first half. The goal aside, Cunha was pretty much a enger in the 4-1 defeat to Argentina.

Rodrygo (5/10):

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo could not do anything of note in the 4-1 drubbing against Argentina. Failed to dispatch a single shot or create a chance before coming off at half-time.

Vinicius Junior (6/10):

Vinicius Junior was the hero of Brazil’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Colombia last week. The left-winger tried to make a similar impact, but Argentina neutralized him quite effectively.

Substitutes:

Leo Ortiz (45′) (5.5/10): Came on for Murillo at half time. Completed three clearances but lost four of five ground duels.

Joao Gomes (45′) (6/10): Replacing Joelinton at half-time, Joao Gomes made four recoveries, won four duels, and played a couple of es into the final third.

Endrick (45′) (6/10): On for Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo. Completed two dribbles but had no impact in the final third.

Savinho (69′) & Ederson (84′): N/A