Fernando Diniz's side looked out of ideas going forward as they suffered the country's first-ever World Cup qualifying loss on home soil
A listless attacking performance, marked by just four shots on target, saw Brazil lose a third straight game in 2026 World Cup qualifying as they went down 1-0 to Argentina on Tuesday. The Selecao's offensive quartet produced little, while a Nicolas Otamendi header proved to be the difference at the other end.
Pre-match clashes in the stands between fans of both teams and Rio police delayed the game, and marred what seemed to be a fixture of immense importance for a struggling Brazil side. The first half, accordingly, was a breathless, scrappy ordeal, with little footballing quality. At the break, the two sides had combined for 22 fouls, and just one shot on target.
Gabriel Martinelli enjoyed the first chance of a much more open second half, seeing a shot denied by Emiliano Martinez after a mazy run and setup from Gabriel Jesus. But Argentina were the ones to find the net, when Otamendi rose to head a corner past a sprawling Alisson.
Brazil didn't offer much otherwise. For the remainder of the contest, the Selecao showed vague signs of threatening, without truly creating anything of note. A harsh sending off for substitute Joelinton after 72 minutes limited any momentum — and sent Brazil to a deserved third straight loss.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from the Maracana…
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Alisson (6/10):
Helpless on the Argentina goal — such was the quality of Otamendi's header. Didn't have anything else to do.
Emerson (5/10):
Tried to venture forward in the second half, but didn't really make things happen in attacking areas — despite seeing a lot of the ball.
Marquinhos (5/10):
Didn't have much to do in the first half. Removed at the break.
Gabriel Magalhaes (5/10):
Outlept for the Argentina goal, which was pretty much his only action in an otherwise uneventful performance.
Carlos Augusto (4/10):
Largely uninvolved off the ball, and can't really be faulted for any work off it. A random silly booking marked his only real impact.
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Andre (6/10):
Got stuck in, and tracked Lionel Messi well. But he's limited as a playmaker, and didn't really have any passing options.
Bruno Guimaraes (5/10):
Seemed to love the physicality of the contest. He wasn't as effective when it came to playing football.
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Raphinha (4/10):
Saw a free-kick deflected over the bar for his side's only real chance of the first half. Almost put one in his own net in the second. Tried to do too much at times, mostly to the detriment of his side.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Handed a start despite struggling for fitness with Arsenal. One delightful run almost gave his side the opener.
Rodrygo (5/10):
Dangerous when he got on the ball, which really didn't happen enough.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Largely halted as a one-on-one presence. Fired Brazil's best chance of the second half right at Martinez.
GettySubs & Manager
Nino (5/10):
Replaced Marquinhos at half-time. Failed to mark Otamendi for the decisive header.
Endrick (6/10):
Brought energy, but was seldom on the ball
Joelinton (3/10):
Barely involved before being sent off, albeit very harshly.
Douglas Luiz (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Raphael Veiga (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Fernando Diniz (3/10):
His decision to stick with four forwards and two central players against such a physical Argentina midfield was baffling. Brazil weren't necessarily out of the game, but their attack is lifeless without Neymar and Vinicius. They didn't deserve anything out of the game, and could now be in big trouble.