Brazil captain Marquinhos has issued an apology to supporters following his team’s disastrous 4-1 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires during World Cup qualifying. The loss marked Brazil’s worst-ever result in the tournament’s qualification history, leaving their place at next year’s finals still uncertain.
Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone found the net for Argentina, who had already secured World Cup qualification before kick-off thanks to Bolivia’s draw with Uruguay. Brazil’s only goal came from Matheus Cunha after a defensive mistake by Cristian Romero.
Reflecting on the painful defeat, Marquinhos admitted his side’s display was unacceptable. “What happened here cannot happen again,” he told Brazilian broadcaster Globo. “It’s difficult to find the words right now. This result is embarrassing.”
He continued: “We started terribly, well below our potential, and they played with confidence. They knew how to manage the game. I feel sorry for our supporters.”
Argentina dominates despite Messi’s absence
Argentina took control early, striking twice within the opening 12 minutes. Alvarez put the home side ahead, followed by Fernandez doubling the lead soon after. Although Cunha momentarily revived Brazil’s hopes by capitalizing on Romero’s error, Mac Allister restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion before halftime.
Despite missing several opportunities to extend their lead, Argentina sealed the emphatic victory when Simeone struck in the 71st minute, triggering jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez expressed his delight, saying: “Winning 4-1 is a historic achievement. We are so proud, and I’m really happy for our supporters.”
Raphinha sparks controversy
Before the match, Brazil forward Raphinha stoked tensions by claiming in a television interview that his team planned to “beat them up on and off the pitch” and guaranteed he would score. However, the match unfolded in a vastly different manner for Brazil, with Raphinha becoming involved in heated confrontations.
A rash first-half challenge from the former Leeds winger prompted an angry reaction from Argentina players, forcing his teammates to step in and diffuse the situation. After the match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to ease tensions by defending Raphinha’s actions. “I know he didn’t mean anything by it,” Scaloni said. “He was just fighting for his team, and I don’t believe he intended to offend anyone.”
Qualification standings and other results
Argentina remains at the top of the South American standings with 31 points from 14 matches, sitting comfortably 16 points ahead of Venezuela in seventh place. The top six teams will automatically secure a spot in next year’s World Cup.
Brazil, currently fourth with 21 points, still has work to do in their final four fixtures to ensure qualification. Meanwhile, Paraguay and Colombia played out a 2-2 draw in Barranquilla, with Luis Diaz and Jhon Duran putting Colombia ahead early. Paraguay responded through Junior Alonso just before halftime, and Julio Enciso netted the equalizer in the second half, keeping his side in fifth place, one point ahead of Colombia in sixth.
