In a dramatic night of World Cup 2026 qualifiers, both Brazil and Argentina faced setbacks as they suffered defeats in their latest matches. Brazil fell to a 1-0 loss against Paraguay, while reigning world champions Argentina were beaten 2-1 by Colombia, marking a tough round of fixtures for two of South America’s footballing giants.

Brazil’s Struggles Continue with Loss to Paraguay

Brazil’s qualification campaign took another hit with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Paraguay. The five-time world champions have now lost four of their last five qualifying matches, raising serious concerns about their path to the 2026 World Cup. The lone goal came in the 20th minute, courtesy of Diego Gomez, who plays for Inter Miami. Brazil, shockingly, failed to register a shot on target in the first half of the match, leaving fans frustrated.

Brazil’s lineup featured some of their top stars, including Alisson from Liverpool, Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle, and Lucas Paqueta from West Ham. Up front, the attack was led by Rodrygo, Endrick, and Vinicius Jr, all representing Real Madrid. Despite their strong squad, Brazil couldn’t break through Paraguay’s defense.

Manager Dorival Jr, who took charge of the team in January, is facing mounting pressure as Brazil sits fifth in the qualifying table, having secured just three wins in eight matches. Brazil’s defensive stalwart Marquinhos spoke to TV Globo, addressing the team’s lack of confidence and the challenges they face in this transitional period.

“The coach is still figuring out the best way for us to play and that’s reflected in the result,” Marquinhos said. “Qualifying isn’t easy, it’s a difficult time and we have to know how to manage it.”

Messi-Less Argentina Stunned by Colombia

In a significant upset, Argentina, playing without Lionel Messi, were handed a 2-1 defeat by Colombia. The match served as a rematch of their Copa America final from two months ago, where Argentina had come out on top. However, Colombia claimed revenge this time around, with former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez proving to be the match-winner.

James Rodriguez, now playing for Rayo Vallecano, was involved in both of Colombia’s goals. He provided the assist for Yerson Mosquera, who scored with a header in the 25th minute, putting Colombia ahead in Barranquilla. Argentina responded early in the second half when Nicolas Gonzalez found the back of the net to level the score.

However, a VAR-reviewed foul by Nicolas Otamendi on Daniel Munoz led to a crucial penalty for Colombia. Rodriguez coolly slotted the ball past Emiliano Martinez in the 60th minute, sealing Colombia’s victory. “I don’t think I’ve ever scored against them – there’s a first time for everything,” Rodriguez said after the game, relishing the win against the reigning world champions.

Despite the loss, Argentina still sits at the top of the 10-team qualifying table, two points ahead of second-placed Colombia. It was only Argentina’s second loss in 18 matches since they won the 2022 World Cup against France, but the absence of Messi clearly had an impact on their performance.

Other Key Results in South American Qualifiers

Elsewhere in South America, Uruguay played out a 0-0 draw against Venezuela. Manuel Ugarte, who recently joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain, started for Uruguay but couldn’t help his side break the deadlock.

The top six teams from the CONMEBOL region will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup after 18 rounds of fixtures, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental play-off.

Asia’s World Cup Qualifiers: Australia Held, Japan Thrives

In Asia, Australia continued to struggle in their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Indonesia. This followed a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bahrain in their opening match last week. Australia’s lackluster performances have raised concerns as they attempt to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

In contrast, Japan delivered a dominant performance with a 5-0 victory over Bahrain. Key Premier League players such as Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), and Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) played pivotal roles in the win, as Japan asserted their dominance in their group.

South Korea also found success, claiming their first win in the qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Oman. Tottenham star Son Heung-min and Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan were both on the scoresheet as South Korea picked up crucial points.

Looking Ahead

With several rounds of matches still to be played, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers are far from over. Both Brazil and Argentina will need to bounce back from their defeats if they hope to secure their places in the tournament. As for Colombia, their impressive win over Argentina shows they are a team to be reckoned with, while Paraguay’s victory gives them much-needed confidence as they continue their campaign.

The road to the 2026 World Cup continues to deliver surprises and excitement, and the coming fixtures will no doubt bring more drama as teams fight for a place in the world’s biggest football tournament.