Argentina qualifies to NY/NJ 2026 World Cup!
Sports Desk, Mar 25 (EFE).- By Claudia Aguilar Ramírez
Reigning world champions Argentina became the first South American team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after a goalless draw between Bolivia and Uruguay, which they followed with a 4-1 win over arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
The Albiceleste’s qualification came in the absence of their captain Lionel Messi due to injury.
Julian Alvarez (L) of Argentina vies for the ball with Matheus Cunha of Brazil during a CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Argentina and Brazil at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 25 March 2025. EFE-EPA/Luciano Gonzalez
Messi, who will turn 38 in June, is on his way to a record sixth World Cup.
Argentina, which lead the South American qualifying group with 31 points from 14 matches, is the fourth team to secure a World Cup berth after Iran, Japan and New Zealand.
The Argentine national team’s 4-1 win over a weak Brazil came with goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone.
Matheus Cunha scored the lone goal for Brazil, which is in fourth place with 21 points from 14 matches.
On the next matchday, in June, the Albiceleste will visit Chile and the Canarinha will go to Quito to face Ecuador.
Colombia got off to a dream start in their match against Paraguay in Barranquilla as Luis Díaz scored in the 45th second and John Durán extended the lead in the 13th minute.
But a header by Junior Alonso in the fourth added minute of the first half gave Paraguay their first goal before Julio Enciso equalized in the 62nd minute with a shot from just outside the box.
Meanwhile, Venezuela beat Peru 1-0 in a crucial qualifying match following a 2-1 away loss to Ecuador on Saturday.
Veteran striker Salomon Rondon’s penalty in the 41st minute gave his team the victory it desperately needed while Peru, who were coming off a solid 3-1 win against Bolivia, failed to get back into the game.
The win moved Venezuela to seventh place with 15 points, allowing them to enter an inter-confederation playoff for a spot in the tournament, while Peru is in ninth place with 10 points.
The World Cup qualifier between Bolivia and Uruguay ended in a 0-0 draw.
Bolivia is eighth in the standings with 14 points, while Uruguay is third with 21.
La Verde will visit Venezuela in June and La Celeste will visit Paraguay.
Chile’s qualifying aspirations weakened with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, putting it in tenth place with 10 points.
Ecuador, on the other hand, are second in the standings with 23 points. EFE
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