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.
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