In high-stakes CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, Argentina and Brazil both claimed vital victories to strengthen their positions in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Argentina edged past Uruguay 1-0 thanks to a moment of brilliance from Thiago Almada, Brazil secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Colombia, with Vinicius Jr. delivering a late winner.
Argentina Grind Out Narrow Win Without Messi
In the absence of captain Lionel Messi, Argentina relied on Thiago Almada to step up, and the former Atlanta United midfielder did not disappoint. In a tightly contested match against Uruguay, Almada broke the deadlock in the second half with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box, finding the top corner and giving Argentina the lead.
The game was far from a spectacle, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Uruguay’s defense held firm for most of the match, but Almada’s moment of quality proved decisive. Argentina’s disciplined defense and composed game management ensured they held on for the win, moving them closer to securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Vinicius Jr. Delivers Late Heroics for Brazil
Meanwhile, Brazil faced a tough test against Colombia but emerged victorious in dramatic fashion. Barcelona’s Raphinha opened the scoring for Brazil in the 6th minute with a penalty after Vinicius Jr. was fouled in the box. However, Colombia fought back, with Liverpool’s Luis Díaz equalizing before halftime with a composed finish.
As the match seemed destined to end in a draw, Vinicius Jr. stepped up in stoppage time, firing a powerful strike from outside the box to secure a 2-1 win for Brazil. The victory lifted Brazil to 21 points, keeping them in second place in the standings, while Colombia remained in sixth with 19 points.
With the top six teams from CONMEBOL qualifying automatically advancing to the 2026 World Cup, these victories are crucial for both nations as they aim to solidify their positions in the standings. The road to the World Cup continues to deliver drama, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the qualifiers progress.
