Lionel Scaloni’s side sent a message to all of the pretenders to their throne by battering their great rivals in Buenos AiresJulian Alvarez led the line with aplomb with Enzo Fernandez pulling the strings in midfield as Argentina recorded a stunning 4-1 win over Brazil on Tuesday night to celebrate qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in style. Bolivia’s draw with Uruguay had already guaranteed the Albiceleste a spot at next summer’s tournament in North America but the defending champions were nonetheless intent on making a statement.Despite being shorn of the services of the injured Lionel Messi, Argentina ran riot in Buenos Aires, scoring after just four minutes through Alvarez, who finished emphatically after taking advantage of a couple of ricochets. The hosts made it 2-0 less than 10 minutes later, with Fernandez arriving at the back post to turn home Nahuel Molina’s cross.Matheus Cunha, after barely having a sniff through the first 25 minutes, pulled a goal back with a decent strike from distance following a loose pass from Cristiano Romero but there was no containing Argentina, who replied through Alexis Mac Allister, with the Liverpool midfielder getting on the end of a wonderful lofted pass from Enzo.The Selecao switched things up by bringing on three players at the break, but it made no difference. Argentina exercised complete control throughout the second half and fully deserved their fourth goal, which arrived when substitute Giuliano Simeone leathered the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.GOAL rates Argentina’s players on a memorable night at the Estadio Monumental…
