Brazil missed another victory in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Five-time world champions Brazil only managed a 1-1 (0-0) draw against Uruguay. It was the second draw in a row after national coach Dorival Júnior’s team had only drawn 1-1 against Venezuela. Uruguay took the lead through Federico Valverde (55th minute), which Gerson (62nd) equalized relatively quickly. But it wasn’t enough for the Seleção.
«We did everything we could to leave here with a win. We have reached a point that is important to us. We have to keep our heads up, it will be very difficult to beat us,” said striker Raphinha (FC Barcelona) after the overall rather disappointing performance, which was partially greeted with boos from the fans.
Martínez draws level with Maradona
World champion Argentina returned after the defeat in Paraguay and celebrated a 1-0 (0-0) home win against Peru. Superstar Lionel Messi prepared Lautaro Martínez’s spectacular winning goal with a side kick (55th). With his 32nd goal for the Albiceleste, Martínez drew level with Diego Maradona and is now the fifth best goalscorer in Argentina’s history. “We won the Copa América, we are leading the South American World Cup qualification,” said goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. “We can be proud of ourselves.”
Brazil is only fifth in the South American qualifiers with 18 points, while world champion Argentina is at the top with 25 points from twelve games and is five points ahead of pursuers Uruguay. This is followed by Ecuador and Colombia (19 each). Only the first six of ten teams qualify directly for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico; the seventh-placed team has to go into relegation.
– What factors contributed to Brazil’s recent struggles in World Cup qualifiers?
Here’s a possible interview with two guests discussing the recent events in Brazilian and Argentinian football:
Host: We’re here today with two football experts to talk about the recent developments in the World Cup qualifiers for South America. Firstly, let’s analyze Brazil’s performance. They suffered a second consecutive draw, which has left them with only 18 points from 12 games and struggling to secure their place in the tournament.
Guest 1: Well, it’s clear that Brazil is struggling right now. They have one of the best squads, if not the best squad, in the world but they haven’t been able to convert that into results on the pitch. The draw against Uruguay was disappointing, especially considering the pressure they were under after their previous game against Venezuela. The team seemed uninspired, and the fans’ reaction with boos is a testament to that.
Guest 2: I agree, and it’s concerning because Brazil used to thrive under this kind of pressure in the past. However, there’s no denying the quality they possess. Their attacking lineup is devastating, with players like Neymar, Vinícius Jr, and Richarlison. The coach’s tactics have been questionable, and it remains to be seen if they can turn things around before it’s too late.
Host: Moving on to Argentina, they managed a home win against Peru, thanks to a wonder goal by Lautaro Martínez. This win has seen them climb to the top of the table, sitting five points ahead of their closest rivals. What’s your take on their chances of winning the World Cup in 2026?
Guest 1: Argentina looked impressive, especially given their recent defeat in Paraguay. Messi’s influence is still crucial for them, and his assist for Martínez’s goal showed that. Martínez’s performance has been exceptional as well, as he drew level with Diego Maradona in their all-time scoring list.
Guest 2: I think Argentina has a great chance of winning the World Cup. They have a solid squad, with many young and talented players playing in top European clubs. But they need to maintain their form, focus on each game, and avoid complacency. The manager also needs to ensure that players
