Brazil and Argentina Suffer Defeats in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

The CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers have long been known as the toughest path to the World Cup, thanks to the depth of quality teams in South America. And on Tuesday, that reputation only grew stronger, as both Brazil and Argentina—two of the continent’s powerhouses—suffered unexpected defeats.

Argentina, fresh off their Copa America success, were brought back down to earth by Colombia, who avenged their Copa America 2024 defeat with a 2-1 win that had La Albiceleste scrambling for answers. Meanwhile, Brazil’s struggles continued as they fell 1-0 to Paraguay, sinking deeper into one of the worst runs in their illustrious history. These shock results served as a reminder that in South American qualifiers, no team is safe, no matter how big their reputation. 

Colombia 2 – 0 Argentina 

This clash was one of the most eagerly awaited matchups in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers, especially since Argentina had defeated Colombia just two months ago to win their second consecutive Copa America title. Fans were expecting a thriller, and the game certainly delivered. The atmosphere was charged, with Colombian fans even booing Argentina’s national anthem, setting the stage for a fiery encounter. 

Colombia came out strong, dominating the early exchanges—an unusual sight against the reigning World Champions who have largely dominated the CONMEBOL Qualifiers. It was the hosts who drew first blood, capitalizing on a cleverly executed short corner. James Rodriguez whipped in a perfect cross, which Yerson Mosquera nodded home to give Colombia the lead. Argentina struggled to find their rhythm, failing to register a single shot on target in the first half as Colombia seized control. 

After the break, Argentina found a spark. Just three minutes into the second half, Nico Gonzalez leveled the score with a brilliant solo effort that brought La Albiceleste back into the game. But the celebrations were short-lived. Colombia retook the lead in the 60th minute, courtesy of a James Rodriguez penalty. Despite Argentina’s relentless pressure in search of an equalizer, Colombia’s defense held firm, securing a memorable victory over their Copa America rivals. With this win, Colombia now sits second in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers with 16 points, just two behind leaders Argentina. 

Paraguay 1 – 0 Brazil 

Where do we even start with Brazil? The Selecao have been a shadow of their former selves lately. After a dismal showing in the 2024 Copa America, where they were unceremoniously dumped out by Uruguay in the quarterfinals, fans hoped Brazil would bounce back and find their rhythm. But instead of turning the corner, they’ve been stuck in a rut. Under Dorival Junior, this Brazil side seems to have lost that iconic Samba magic—that irresistible Joga Bonito—that made past Brazilian teams a joy to watch. The flair, the creativity, the swagger—it’s all missing. 

Despite dominating possession, Brazil rarely posed a real threat against Paraguay. The Selecao managed just nine shots, with only three on target, while Paraguay, with just 29% possession, made the most of their limited chances. The game's turning point came at the 20-minute mark when Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box, leaving Alisson with no chance. 

Though Brazil continued to dominate the ball, they struggled to carve out any meaningful opportunities. Paraguay's defense held firm, frustrating a Brazilian attack brimming with talents like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Endrick, and Lucas Paqueta. In the end, Paraguay secured a famous win that propelled them to 7th place in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers with 9 points. Meanwhile, Brazil's woes continued, as they sit in fifth with just 10 points from eight games—marking their fourth defeat in the last five qualifiers. It’s a worrying trend for a team that seems to have lost its bite. 

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