Argentina held, Brazil leave it late in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

MONTEVIDEO – Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi’s return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.

Messi, who missed Argentina’s last round of fixtures in September due to injury, looked to have put the world champions on course for victory after his free kick helped set up Nicolas Otamendi’s 13th-minute opener in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.

But a battling performance by Venezuela in front of their fans was rewarded midway through the second half, when Salomon Rondon met Yeferson Soteldo’s cross with a header that flew past Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

“It was an ugly match. We couldn’t even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped because of the water on the pitch. It is difficult to play in these conditions, the pitch did not help,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.

Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul added: “The best conditions for us to play is that there is a good pitch, good weather, that the ball runs. We don’t ask for much, do we?”

Despite the dropped points, Argentina remain firmly on course for a place at the 2026 Finals, which are being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, the top six finishers in South America’s 10-team round-robin qualifying competition are guaranteed a spot.

Argentina lead the standings with 19 points from nine games, three points clear of second-placed Colombia, who suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Bolivia in other qualifying action on Oct 10.

Yet, while Argentina look poised to go through comfortably, rivals Brazil continue to make hard work of their qualifying campaign.

Chile, who are one place off the bottom of the standings, rocked Brazil after just two minutes in Santiago when Eduardo Vargas steered a looping header over Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.

But Brazil drew level in first-half stoppage time after Savinho worked himself into space before crossing for Botafogo forward Igor Jesus to head home a debut goal.

The match looked destined to finish in a draw until the 89th minute, when Brazil substitute Luiz Henrique arrowed in a low shot from the edge of the area to make it 2-1.

The win moves Brazil into fourth place in the standings with 13 points from nine games, six points adrift of leaders Argentina.

“From the moment the referee starts a match, the level of concentration has to be high. It happened today, and I am happy to see the maturity of the team, even though they are very young,” said coach Dorival Jr.

“We were balanced and calm, accelerating in the moments when we had possession of the ball.”
AFP, REUTERS