Brazil 0-1 Argentina Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Otamendi’s goal leads Argentina to win; Joelinton sees red card

Follow Sportstar’s Highlights of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. This was Mayank, who gave you all the live updates. FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Argentina beats Brazil 1-0 to go top of table Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi scored to lead his team to a 1-0 win over Brazil on Wednesday in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier group match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. A thunderous header by Nicolas Otamendi saw Argentina win a physical clash at the Maracana with rivals Brazil, keeping the Albiceleste atop the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings. Yet that was nothing more than subtext for the overall narrative of the match, which was delayed by half an hour for violent clashes in the stands. The animosity transferred to the pitch across the 90 minutes, as Argentina and Brazil played to a foul fest with few chances.

Gabriel Martinelli came up empty with Brazil’s best opportunity of the match, firing a shot right at Emiliano Martinez just after halftime, and that would prove vital as Otamendi’s towering header off a corner past the hour mark was enough to see out the three points. Brazil played wildly out of control for much of the game, whistled for an enormous 25 fouls throughout the match, but it felt harsh when Joelinton was sent off with eight minutes to go, as Rodrigo de Paul conned the referee with a blatant flop. With the chaotic defeat, alarm bells will ring around the Brazil national team as they drop to sixth in the qualifying standings, having suffered three defeats across the opening six games. MORE: See the latest CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying standings, fixtures, and results The Sporting News followed the Brazil vs Argentina match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened. Brazil vs Argentina live updates, highlights, commentary: As it happened FULLTIME: Brazil 0-1 Argentina It's all over, and Argentina have come to the Maracana once again and emerged victorious. The match was a foul fest from the start, and Brazil never really asserted any kind of dominance throughout the game. A third defeat in six matches will put Fernando Diniz under real pressure as they look to bide their time until Carlo Ancelotti arrives. The Selecao are down to sixth in the standings, which is wholly unfamiliar territory. Brazil vs Argentina: Second Half 90+5 min: Despite their disadvantage, it's Brazil pushing for the equalizer down the stretch, and Emiliano Martinez has to get down low to scoop up a shot from distance. 87th min: This has turned into a complete foul fest, as Alexis Mac Allister is upended needlessly while flicking the ball around at a standstill. Six minutes of stoppage time are shown. 82nd min: RED CARD, BRAZIL! JOELINTON IS OFF FOR A FOUL ON RODRIGO DE PAUL! It's a miserable red card from the referee, as de Paul was all over his arm well after the ball had gone, and then the Argentina midfielder flopped and completely conned the referee. An absolutely farcical decision — you feel for Brazil there. 76th min: Emiliano Martinez is down needing treatment, a concern for the visitors. He is able to continue as he looks to have just been wasting some time. More substitutions come streaming onto the field, as Lautaro Martinez enters for Julian Alvarez, while Douglas Luiz replaces Bruno Guimaraes. 70th min: Two more subs for Argentina as Leandro Paredes and Nico Gonzalez on for Enzo Fernandez and Gio Lo Celso. Fernando Diniz responds by bringing young Endrick on for Raphinha in Brazil's first change. 66th min: Lionel Scaloni makes the first substitution of the match, bringing Marcos Acuna off, replaced by Nicolas Tagliafico. Raphinha nearly puts the ball in his own net while defending a free-kick at the far post, but manages to guide it wide of the post and out for a corner. 63rd min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! NICOLAS OTAMENDI WITH A BULLET HEADER INTO THE TOP CORNER! He rises high to meet a corner and hammers it into the net past Alisson. The visitors lead at the Maracana! 62nd min: Lionel Messi, who's been playing at half speed for much of the game, charges onto a loose ball and rips a left-footed shot from about 20 yards out, but it's blocked near the top of the penalty area. 58th min: Chance, Brazil! DIBU MARTINEZ SAVES ARGENTINA AGAIN! Gabriel Jesus skins two Argentine defenders down the left flank and under heavy pressure, squares it to Gabriel Martinelli. The Arsenal winger is all alone as the defense scrambles to recover, but from about 15 yards out, he fires right at the goalkeeper, who gets down low to make the stop. What a poor finish from Martinelli, he should have scored! 55th min: Emi Martinez makes an awkward but simple save at the near post as Raphinha gets on a long ball and pokes it on frame. He spills it, but it ends up out for a goal kick. 49th min: Brazil come close to creating a chance, but Rodrygo's swing from six yards out whiffs and fails to connect with the cross by Raphinha. Then moments later Raphinha launches himself into the air over a defender looking to draw a foul but the referee sees right through it and waves play on. A laughable dive. Kickoff: They're back underway at the Maracana, as it appears the fans managed to keep a lid on things through the 15 minutes of downtime. Lionel Messi twice needed treatment on his groin during the first half, and his status will be something to watch through the final 45 minutes.