Sports Desk 22 Nov , 2023 09:15 AM GMT
Ecuador's Kendry Paez, right, greets fans at the end of a qualifying soccer at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Colombia's James Rodriguez connects a shot under the watch of Paraguay's Ivan Leguizamon during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Uruguay's Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Bolivia during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Ecuador's Kendry Paez, right, greets fans at the end of a qualifying soccer match against Chile for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (A
Hey there, football fanatics! Get ready to dive into the wild and exciting world of international football. We've got all the thrilling details from the recent clash between Argentina and Brazil that left fans on the edge of their seats. So, fasten your seatbelts and let's kick off!
In what was a historic event, Lionel Messi's Argentina squad secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over their archrivals Brazil. The Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro witnessed Brazil's first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifying match. I mean, talk about making history!
The excitement surrounding the game was palpable, with fans flocking to catch a glimpse of the legendary Messi in what could be his last match in Brazil. Little did they know that they were in for a nail-biting showdown. Instead of witnessing Messi's magic, they watched as Nicolás Otamendi scored the only goal of the match, sealing Brazil's fate.
This wasn't just any loss for Brazil; it marked their third consecutive defeat in the round-robin tournament, adding to the woes of their new coach, Fernando Diniz. To make matters worse, it was the first time since 2009 that the five-time World Cup winners failed to score in a home game. Ouch!
Colombia's James Rodriguez connects a shot under the watch of Paraguay's Ivan Leguizamon during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Ecuador's Kendry Paez, right, greets fans at the end of a qualifying soccer at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Uruguay's Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Bolivia during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi, left, celebrates with teammate Enzo Fernandez after scoring his side's opening goal against Brazil during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Brazil's Carlos Augusto battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
As the final whistle blew, Messi made his way off the pitch, greeted by a mix of jeers and applause from Brazilian fans. But here's something that will warm your heart – dozens of children showed up at the Maracana wearing the shirts of Messi's previous club, Barcelona, as well as Inter Miami. It's like witnessing a love letter to the icon himself.
While Messi didn't manage to overcome this particular barrier against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match at the Maracana, his Argentina squad celebrated their victory on the pitch for a glorious ten minutes. They knew they had accomplished something extraordinary, leading the South American qualifying standings and giving their fans one more reason to go wild at the historic stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Remember when Ángel di Maria scored the only goal in an empty Maracana to secure the Copa America title for Argentina two years ago? Well, this win felt just as sweet!
Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, brimming with joy, exclaimed, 'I am so happy. We made history again and gave this joy to our people!' He added, 'The derbies are like this. If we need to keep the ball, we do it. If we have to defend and suffer, we do, too. That's why we are the best team in the world.' Talk about confidence!
But hold on, football fanatics, because this match had more than just brilliant goals and a celebratory atmosphere. Before the game even started, there was a brawl between fans in the stands, causing a delay of 27 minutes. This violent incident even led Messi himself to lead his team off the field and into the locker rooms for a solid 22 minutes. Eventually, the situation was brought under control, allowing the game to commence.
Brazil fought hard, wasting several opportunities, including a free kick and a courageous save by Argentina's Cristian Romero. However, Argentina's moment of glory came in the 63rd minute when Otamendi's header, soaring above the Brazilian defenders, found the back of the net. It was a rare chance that Argentina brilliantly capitalized on.
The game wasn't all smooth sailing, as tensions ran high between the teams. In the 81st minute, Brazilian midfielder Joelinton was sent off after pushing an Argentine player. The Brazilian fans, not ones to dampen their spirits, ended the match chanting 'ole' for every touch made by the Argentinian players. Meanwhile, the jubilant Argentine supporters waved their shirts, a symbol of their team's triumph.
With this electrifying victory, Argentina now leads the 10-team South American qualifying competition with 15 points from six matches. Close behind are Uruguay with 13 points and Colombia with 12. It's a race to the top, and Argentina seems to have the wind in their sails. Meanwhile, Brazil finds themselves in sixth position, with only seven points to their name. The pressure is on!
But hey, there's still a long way to go before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With 48 teams set to qualify, the stakes are higher than ever before. The top six teams in South America are guaranteed direct entry, while the seventh-place team will have a shot at securing a berth through an intercontinental playoff. The battle for glory is far from over.
In other matches on Tuesday, Colombia emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, Uruguay dominated Bolivia with a 3-0 victory, and Ecuador pulled off a narrow 1-0 win against Chile. Peru and Venezuela battled it out to a 1-1 draw, showcasing the intense competition within the South American region.
As we wrap up this exhilarating chapter, it's clear that international football never fails to deliver a rollercoaster of emotions. From unpredictable matchups to historic victories, each game brings its own unique story. So, stay tuned, fellow football enthusiasts, because the journey to the 2026 World Cup is just beginning, and who knows what surprises await us next?
That's all for now, folks! Remember to keep the love for the beautiful game alive, and until next time, let's celebrate the magic of football together.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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