Argentina edged closer to securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru in Buenos Aires, thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal. The win leaves Argentina atop the South American qualifying table with 25 points from 12 matches, maintaining a five-point lead over second-placed Uruguay.
Brazil, however, delivered a lackluster performance at home, managing only a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in Salvador. Federico Valverde opened the scoring for Uruguay with a stunning strike from outside the box, while Gerson equalized for Brazil with a similar effort. Despite the draw, Brazil’s recent form has been uninspiring, leaving them in fifth place with 18 points, trailing behind Uruguay, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Martinez’s goal marked his 32nd for Argentina, equaling Diego Maradona’s record. Despite their win, Argentina’s overall performance was subdued, with Lionel Messi delivering another modest display. However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez urged fans to remain optimistic, highlighting Argentina’s achievements, including their Copa America triumph and strong qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, Brazil faced criticism from their home crowd, as fans jeered the team following the match. Uruguay appeared more threatening in the second half, underlining Brazil’s struggles without their injured star Neymar. With South American qualifying offering six direct World Cup berths, competition remains fierce as teams gear up for the next round in March.
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