Photo Credit: Getty Images
On Tuesday, Both Brazil and Argentina were defeated in their qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina remains top of the standings despite the 2-1 loss against Colombia in Barranquilla.
Captain James Rodríguez, who has long been a talisman for the Cafeteros, was instrumental in the victory over the reigning World Cup and Copa América champion, providing the cross for Yerson Mosquera’s close-range header and converting a second-half penalty.
Nicolás González had equalized for Argentina at the start of the second half, but a foul from Nicolás Otamendi, given after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, allowed Rodríguez to blast a penalty into the top corner and hand the lead back to Colombia.
Argentina is still without Lionel Messi after he sustained an ankle injury in the Copa América final in July, but manager Lionel Scaloni has said that he hopes the star forward will return for the next round of qualifiers in October.
Argentina has six wins from its eight World Cup qualifying games and sits two points ahead of Colombia, still unbeaten with four wins and four draws, in the standings.
Meanwhile Brazil faced a defeat of 1-0 against Paraguay which was particularly concerning as it marked the team’s fourth defeat in the past five qualifiers.
The result leaves the five-time World Cup winner fifth in the standings with the top six sides automatically earning a spot in the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Diego Gómez scored the winning goal for Paraguay in Asunción, bending a wonderful strike off the post with the outside of his boot from the edge of the area.
Brazil pushed harder after Gómez’s first-half goal when Guilherme Arana’s shot was cleared off the line by Júnior Alonso, denying the visiting side an instant equalizer.
Brazil enjoyed 71% of possession but produced only three shots on target. Vinícius Jr. had two chances in quick succession in the second half but both of his attempts were saved by goalkeeper Gatito Fernández.
Lewis Musonye
