Argentina vs Brazil 4-1 Recap: Highlights, stats, goals from World Cup Qualifiers win without Lionel Messi

Argentina played with the freedom of having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup before even taking the field on Tuesday, as they turned in a scintillating first-half display that saw the reigning, defending world champions put three past bitter rivals Brazil en route to a 4-1 victory in Buenos Aires.

WATCH —Argentina v Brazil full match replay

Even without Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala in the squad this international window, La Albiceleste dominated every facet of the game and appeared ready to defend their crown anytime, any place. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring after just four minutes as he darted between two yellow shirts and cleverly touched the ball past Bento. Brazil never recovered from the shaky start and it was 2-0 in the 12th minute, when Enzo Fernandez arrived at the back post at just the right time to turn home Nahuel Molina's deflected cross.

MORE —Latest scores, table in South America World Cup qualifying

Brazil's only shot on target all night (just three shots total) came in the 26th minute, and even that chance was created solely by someone wearing white and sky blue. Cristian Romero took too long on the ball and Matheus Cunha made him pay by taking it off him and firing a burner into the bottom corner that briefly stunned the Estadio Monumental crowd.

Fernandez was the architect of Argentina's third goal in the 37th minute, with a brilliantly curled ball over and around the left side of Brazil's defense to find Alexis Mac Allister's perfectly timed run that split four defenders in yellows shirts. Mac Allister deftly lifted the ball over the out-rushing Bento and the two-goal lead was restored. Giuliano Simeone added Argentina's fourth — his first in the famous shirt — just three minutes after coming on, in the 71st minute.

Player ratings - Argentina vs Brazil

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Argentina vs Brazil live updates - by Andy Edwards

Argentina vs Brazil final score: 4-1

Goalscorers: Julian Alvarez (4'), Enzo Fernandez (12'), Matheus Cunha (26'), Alexis Mac Allister (37'), Giuliano Simeone (71')

GOAL! Argentina 4-1 Brazil: Simeone darts in at the back post and scores from nowhere (71')

GOAL! Argentina 3-1 Brazil: Mac Allister guides Fernandez’s brilliant pass home (37')

GOAL! Argentina 2-1 Brazil: Romero hands Cunha one on a silver platter (26')

GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Brazil: Fernandez finishes at the back post (12')

GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Alvarez finds a way past two defenders for the opener (4')

Argentina starting lineup

Martinez - Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico - Paredes, Fernandes, Mac Allister - De Paul, Almada, Alvarez

Brazil starting lineup

Bento - Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo, Arana - Andre, Joelinton, Rodrygo - Raphinha, Vinicius, Cunha

How to watch Argentina vs Brazil live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 8pm ET Tuesday (March 25)
Venue: Mas Monumental Stadium — Buenos Aires, Argentina
TV channel and Streaming en Espanol: Telemundo

Reigning World Cup champs Argentina booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after Bolivia and Uruguay played to a scoreless draw earlier on Tuesday. Lionel Scaloni’s side beat Uruguay 1-0 on Friday and even with Lionel Messi missing from their squad this international window, Argentina have so many superstars. They are top of the table in CONMEBOL qualifying and would love to celebrate reaching the 2026 World Cup with a win against their bitter rivals Brazil and set off a big party in Buenos Aires.

As for Brazil, they've got themselves back on track in qualifying and sit in third place in the table after their huge win against Colombia on Thursday. Vinicius Junior scored a 99th-minute winner in an extremely intense game and Dorival Junior has plenty of big players missing. Still, Brazil's squad is stacked and the trio of Raphinha, Vinicius and Rodrygo are so dangerous when they link up on the counter. Brazil know a win at Argentina would give them a chance of finishing above their bitter rivals with four games to go in qualifying.

Argentina team news, focus

Obviously others have to step up with Messi out and now that Lautaro Martinez is out with a muscle strain too, the pressure is on Julian Alvarez to deliver. The young striker is having a great season at Atletico Madrid and will be fed chances by the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez in midfield. Argentina look so solid defensively and in midfield and even though the likes of Lo Celso and Dybala are missing, they have plenty of creativity in attack. This is a total team unit and Argentina have total belief in what they're doing under Scaloni.

Brazil team news, focus

Alisson has returned to Liverpool after suffering an injury in the win against Colombia as he came off following a nasty collision with Davinson Sanchez. That means Bento will start in goal and Brazil are already missing Ederson, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Casemiro, Danilo, Eder Militao, Lucas Paqueta, Richarlison and Antony from this squad. There are plenty of Premier League players in this squad with Joelinton, Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Andre, Murillo and Savinho all available for this game, but key duo Gabriel and Bruno Guimaraes both picked up yellow cards against Colombia and are suspended for this game. Murillo, Cunha and Joelinton could all start in this game as Dorival Junior has plenty of options and will need to rotate his side after a draining win against Colombia.

Argentina vs Brazil prediction

This is always intense and even with some big players missing for both teams, we can expect fireworks. Brazil have the edge in terms of the attackers they have available and we can expect them to get a huge win. Argentina 1-2 Brazil.