CNN
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Brazil and Argentina suffered defeats in their qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.
For the SelectionThe 1-0 defeat against Paraguay was particularly worrying as it was the team’s fourth defeat in their last five qualifying matches.
This result puts the five-time world champions in fifth place in the table. The best six teams automatically have a place in the 2026 tournament, which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Diego Gómez scored the decisive goal for Paraguay in Asunción when he beautifully directed the ball onto the post with the outside of his foot from the edge of the penalty area.
Brazil came close a few minutes after Gómez’s goal in the first half when Júnior Alonso cleared Guilherme Arana’s shot off the line, denying the visiting team an immediate equaliser.
Otherwise, the Brazilians’ performance was rather lackluster. They had 71% possession but only managed three shots on goal. Vinícius Jr. had two chances in quick succession in the second half, but both attempts were saved by goalkeeper Gatito Fernández.
Since their Copa América quarter-final exit against Uruguay earlier this year, Brazil’s slump under coach Dorival Júnior has continued in World Cup qualifiers, but a 1-0 win against Ecuador on Friday took some of the pressure off the team.
“The coach is still trying to find the best way to play for us and that is reflected in the result,” defender Marquinhos told TV Globo, according to Reuters. “There are a lot of new players, we lack confidence.”
“Qualification is not easy. It is a difficult period and we need to know how to deal with it. It is a transitional phase, we do not feel safe. We will work hard. The best answer is to get results on the pitch.”
Argentina remains top of the table despite a 2-1 defeat to Colombia in Barranquilla.
Captain James Rodríguez, who has long been a talisman for the Cafeteriasplayed a key role in the victory over the reigning world champions and Copa America winners, providing the cross for Yerson Mosquera’s close-range header and converting a penalty in the second half.
Nicolás González had equalised for Argentina early in the second half, but a foul by Nicolás Otamendi, awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, allowed Rodríguez to fire a penalty into the top corner and give Colombia back the lead.
Argentina will continue to be without Lionel Messi after he sustained an ankle injury in the Copa América final in July, but coach Lionel Scaloni expressed hope that the star striker will return for the next qualifying round in October.
Argentina has won six of its eight World Cup qualifying matches and is two points ahead of Colombia, which is still unbeaten with four wins and four draws.
