It was a night of celebration and fireworks for the Argentine men’s national football team on Tuesday, stamping its authority over Brazil with a resounding 4-1 win in one of the best performances ever by head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team.

The Albiceleste entered the game having already secured a spot for the 2026 World Cup after Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay. Despite the fact that the game had lost some of its mathematical drama, the 80,000 that packed the Monumental stadium were still poised to make the most of the night. Forwards Raphinha and Vinicius Jr. were constantly hissed at during warm-up, and deafening whistles accompanied the Brazilian anthem before kickoff.

Despite a windy Buenos Aires night forcing some to bring out the jackets, the Argentina crowd — usually a more casual bunch than Primera Division matchgoers — kept the pace of the game going and never went quiet. Without star Lionel Messi in the starting lineup, the fans’ biggest roar during the team introduction curiously was not directed at any of the players but rather at head coach Scaloni.

Argentina came out of the gates swinging. Just four minutes in, midfielder Thiago Almada split the defense with a pass for striker Julián Álvarez, who controlled the ball with his first touch before tapping it in for the 1-0.

In complete control of the game, the Albiceleste created one of the best goals in Scaloni’s tenure at the 12-minute mark. Starting from the back, they moved the ball around the pitch in a 97-second move that featured 35 passes. The finish came when midfielder Rodrigo de Paul spotted defender Nahuel Molina free on the left, crossed the ball first-time for midfielder Enzo Fernández to tap in the 2-0.

Confidence grew exponentially, with fans chanting ole, ole as the Albiceleste’s passing combinations left Brazilians chasing empty spaces. 

Argentina, however, encountered a moment of reckoning in the 25th minute. Defender Cristian Romero committed a mistake during a build-up that gifted striker Matheus Cunha a one-on-one chance to score and make the game  2-1.

The goal shook Argentina, who became sloppier in its passing, giving Brazil more of the ball and room to play. Yet the Verdeamarelha showed its current limitations even in that situation, unable to take advantage of a reeling opponent to tie the match.

Brazil’s moment in the game ended 35 minutes in. Enzo Fernández picked up the ball in the final third of the pitch and put an exquisite cross for midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to float it over the goalkeeper for 3-1.

The second half saw a more patient Argentina, allowing Brazil more of the ball but leaving no defensive gaps. Head coach Dorival Júnior used three substitutions in a gamble to turn the tide, but it proved fruitless.

With the Verdeamarelha increasingly frustrated and ramping up the physicality of the game as a result, Argentina found more space to counterattack. 

In the 70th minute, one such counter found defender Nicolás Tagliafico in plenty of space. His cross aimed at Mac Allister was underhit, but it found striker Giuliano Simeone instead. He blitzed a shot with no angle that threaded the space between the unsuspecting goalkeeper and the left post for the final 4-1.

After that, Argentina’s dominance was never in question. Chants of ole, ole returned, as well as the Albiceleste’s Qatar 2022 hymn Muchachos.

The players themselves were quite happy to take it all in. Late in the second half, goalkeeper and fan favorite Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez juggled a live ball to the amusement of the crowd. From the seating in the press section, De Paul and Leandro Paredes could be seen stirring the fans, waving their arms up and down everytime they came up to the sideline for a throw

The fireworks display after the final whistle all but confirmed what had been a party for the Argentina fans.

“It’s historic because of the context, the rival, and all that was said,” Julián Álvarez told the press after the game. The former River Plate striker wasn’t exaggerating. This was the first time in history that Brazil conceded four goals in a South American Qualifiers game.

“We played an incredible game and we’ve secured a spot in the World Cup,” he added

Scaloni, for his part, highlighted the collective nature of the victory. “It’s a team win, because we played like one, and that’s how we kept Brazil in check,” he said following the game.

The head coach, who had downplayed the things said ahead of the match, admitted he didn’t expect such an open game but insisted his team needs to show they can “play in different contexts.”

“We don’t know how long this will last,” he said of Argentina’s recent run of results. “The important thing is to enjoy it. We hope it’ll last a long time; we’ll work to try and make that happen.”

Cover photo credit: Mariano Fuchila