On March 25, 2025, Argentina made history by defeating Brazil with a strong 4-1 at the Buenos Aires Monumental Stadium, during the 14th day of the CONMEBOL Eliminations for the 2026 World Cup. Despite not having Lionel Messi or Lautaro Martínez, the Albiceleste not only sealed its pass to the tournament (confirmed a few hours before by the tie between Bolivia and Uruguay), but also made its eternal rival ridiculous in a match full of goals, emotion and spectacle. This technical-tactical analysis breaks down the meeting, identifies the most valuable player, reviews the alignments and changes, addresses disputes (especially in the case of Raphinha), and collects reactions worldwide, statements and key points.
Summary of party and goals
Argentina dominated from the initial pitazo, showing an intensity that Brazil could not counter. The goals came like this:
- Minute 4 – Julián Alvarez (1-0): Thiago Almada leaked a precise pass, Álvarez controlled between two defenders and defined with subtlety before Bento, marking the tone of the party.
- Minute 12 – Enzo Fernández (2-0): Nahuel Molina sent a scratch center after a high recovery; Fernandez, coming to the second stick, finished first to double the lead.
- Minute 26 – Matheus Cunha (2-1): A Christian Romero error allowed Cunha to steal the ball and shoot from outside the area, surprising Emiliano Martínez and giving hope to Brazil.
- Minute 37 – Alexis Mac Allister (3-1): Fernandez covered an exquisite pass above the defense; Mac Allister, with a touch of class, flew the ball over Bento to close the first half with authority.
- Minute 71 – Giuliano Simeone (4-1): The debutante, son of Diego Simeone, entered as an alternate and defined with power from a closed angle after a center of Tagliafico, sealing the goleada.
The marker could be more lumpy: Paredes rode the 5-1 with a distant shot that Bento diverted, and Raphinha, through Brazil, crashed a free shot on the crossing.
Technical and tactical analysis
- Argentina (4-4-2 initial):
- Strategy: Lionel Scaloni designed a compact and dynamic scheme, emphasizing high pressure and maintaining the possession of the ball, which ended in 58%. Without Messi in the field, the team adopted a more collective approach: Almada and Mac Allister took care of the creation of the game, while Álvarez and Fernández moved as false nines to confuse the Brazilian defense.
- Offensive phase: The speed of Molina and Tagliafi in the bands, combined with the vision of Fernandez and Paredes in the middle, disarmed Brazil. The goals emerged from elaborate moves and quick transitions after recovery.
- Defensive phase: Although Romero failed in the rival goal, the four line (Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico) was solid, with Otamendi leading and Martinez solvent in his interventions.
- Tactical code: The constant pressure in rival field drowned Brazil, who found no answers or spaces. The changes (Simeone, Medina, Paz) refreshed the equipment without losing intensity.
- Brazil (4-2-3-1):
- Strategy: Dorival Júnior bet for a vertical game with Raphinha, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. as threats, but the absence of Neymar, Gabriel and Bruno Guimarães left the team without cohesion. André and Joelinton tried to strike a balance in the middle, but they were overcome.
- Offensive phase: Cunha took advantage of an isolated error, but the attack was predictable and lacked depth. Raphinha and Vinicius, well guarded, found no spaces, and Rodrygo was disconnected.
- Defensive phase: The zaga (Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo, Arana) was fragile in the face of the Argentine movements. Murillo was overcome by Alvarez in 1-0, and the lack of coordination allowed 3-1.
- Tactical code: The three rest changes (Endrick, Ortiz, Gomes) sought reaction, but Brazil had no tactical or physical response to rival superiority.
MVP Party
Enzo Fernández He took the honors as the best player in the game. His goal at the 12th minute brought peace of mind to the team, and his master support to Mac Allister, with a 30-metre high pass, was the climax of an impressive performance. With 92% accuracy in their passes, 3 recoveries and a constant presence in both areas, Fernandez was the brain and heart of Argentina. Footboom1 granted him a 9/10, highlighting him as “the party owner.”
Honourable mentions:
- Julian Alvarez: His temporary goal and his tireless work (8/10).
- Alexis Mac Allister: Pure class in 3-1 (8/10).
Alignments and changes
- Argentina:
- Initial (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Thiago Almada, Julián Álvarez.
- Changes:
- Min. 68: Giuliano Simeone for Almada (gol 71).
- Min. 75: Facundo Medina by Tagliafico (reforced defense).
- Min. 75: Nico Paz for Mac Allister (debut and fresh energy).
- Min. 80: Angel Correa by Alvarez (control in the final section).
- Remarkable absences: Messi (lesion), Martínez (muscular muscles).
- Brazil:
- Initial (4-2-3-1): Bento; Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo, Guilherme Arana; André, Joelinton; Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr.; Rodrygo.
- Changes:
- Min. 46: Endrick by Rodrygo, Léo Ortiz by Murillo, João Gomes by Joelinton.
- Min. 67: Savinho by Cunha (pocus impact).
- Remarkable absences: Neymar (lesion), Gabriel and Guimarães (suspension).
Polemics
- The Raphinha incident:
Before the game started, Raphinha was already cheering the atmosphere by declaring in Romario TV: “We’re going to win inside and outside the court. I’m sure I’ll score a goal.” However, his performance was quite disappointing: he failed to score, he hardly created danger and his free shot he gave on the crossroads (min. 77) was the most remarkable of his performance. In addition, he received a yellow card for a hard fault and was abducted by the public, who shouted “I put Raphinha, the p… that stopped him!” after 4-1. At the end of the game, he was frustrated, and his silence on social media contrasts with the confidence he showed before the game. - Lack of arbitration response:
Some in Brazil questioned De Paul’s yellow (min. 75) for a blow to Endrick, arguing he deserved red. Argentina replied by pointing out an unsanctioned elbow from Ortiz to Fernandez. The arbitration, without controversy, was secondary to the albiceleste superiority.
Global press reviews
- ArgentinaTyC Sports): “Historical policy! Argentina danced to Brazil and celebrated the classification with an unforgettable 4-1”.
- Brazil (Brazil)Balloon Sport): “Hummation in Buenos Aires: Brazil, overcome and without answers, suffers its worst defeat in Eliminatoria”.
- SpainBrand brand): “Argentina, without Messi, destroys Brazil and demonstrates why he is a champion of the world.”
- England (The Guardian): “A South American classic that was an Argentine monologue. Brazil, in crisis”.
- France (L’Équipe): “The Scaloneta crushes Brazil with sublime football. Fernandez, imperial.”
- United States (laughs)ESPN): “Argentina humiliates Brazil 4-1 and assures its ticket to the World Cup with a total show.”
Statements
- Players:
- Julian Alvarez: “We made a game and gave them a dance. It is a historical triumph that makes us very happy for the fans” (TyC Sports).
- Enzo Fernández: “We play as a team, with humility and claw. This group is hungry for more” (ESPN Argentina).
- Matheus Cunha: “We did not find the rhythm. Argentina was superior and we must accept it”Globo).
- Raphinha: Without official postpartite statements, his silence speaks for itself after his failed prediction.
- Trainers:
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentina): “I don’t know if it’s our greatest victory, but we minimized Brazil as a team.Reuters).
- Dorival Júnior (Brazil): “From the first minute nothing worked out. They beat us and deserved to win. It is a difficult process, but we will find the way” (Reuters).
The most commented of the party
- The absence of Messi: That Argentina would goleara without its captain and without Lautaro surprised the world, highlighting the depth of the plantel.
- The “baile” to Brazil: The absolute domain and the chants of the swollen (“Ole, Ole”) resonated in networks and media.
- Raphinha, the mockery target: His unfulfilled promise made him meme and trend in X, with phrases like “Raphinha spoke and Argentina responded.”
- Simeone, the dream debut: The goal of the “Cholo” son in his first match was an emotional and symbolic moment.
- Brazilian crisis: The greatest defeat in Eliminatoria left Brazil in fourth place (21 points), 10 from Argentina (31), and increased pressure on Dorival.
Final analysis
Argentina proved to be a complete team: tactically impeccable, technically brilliant and emotionally connected with its audience. Scaloni consolidated his legacy with a victory that transcends the numerical, while Brazil, plagued by absences and disorder, touched the bottom at its worst recent moment. Enzo Fernández shone like MVP, but the triumph was collective, a message to the world that the Albiceleste continues to reign in South America. Raphinha’s polemic added salt to the Brazilian wound, making this 4-1 an unforgettable classic that will be spoken for years.
