Messi inspires Argentina to victory; Brazil suffers first Qualifying loss in 37 games

In a riveting round of South American World Cup qualifiers, Lionel Messi led Argentina to a commanding 2-0 win over Peru. Playing the full match for his national team, Messi appeared in excellent form, having recently recovered from muscular pain that had sidelined him for several club matches with Inter Miami.

Meanwhile, Brazil, the defending World Cup champion’s archrival, faced two significant setbacks against Uruguay. Brazil suffered a rare 2-0 defeat at the hands of the hosts, marking their first loss in 37 World Cup qualifying matches. Additionally, Brazil's star player Neymar left the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on crutches due to a left knee injury.

In other matches, Venezuela secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Chile. The Venezuelan team displayed remarkable teamwork, with goals from Yeferson Soteldo, Salomón Rondón, and Darwin Machis. Last week, Venezuela had managed a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

Ecuador and Colombia played to a goalless draw, while Paraguay secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bolivia with Antonio Sanabria scoring the crucial goal in the 69th minute.

As it stands, Argentina leads the South American qualifying table with 12 points from four matches. Uruguay, Brazil, and Venezuela follow closely with seven points each, separated by goal difference. Colombia has six points, while Ecuador, Paraguay, and Chile have four points each. Peru has one point, and Bolivia remains at zero.

The upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will feature 48 teams, granting direct entry to the top six South American teams. The seventh-place team will engage in an intercontinental playoff for a spot.

Two more rounds of South American World Cup qualifying are scheduled for November. Of particular note is the highly anticipated clash between Brazil and Argentina, scheduled for November 21 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Argentina 2, Peru 0

Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, displayed a dominant performance against Peru at Lima's National Stadium. Facing a Peruvian team yet to score in four qualifying matches, Argentina's victory was highlighted by Lionel Messi's pivotal role. The 36-year-old star scored both of Argentina's goals, solidifying his return to the starting line-up and showcasing his fitness.

Messi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute following a counterattack initiated by Enzo Fernández. A precise cross from Nico González found Messi at the edge of the box, where he delivered a clinical shot to the left angle of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Ten minutes later, Messi struck again, courtesy of a pass from Enzo Fernández, scoring with a shot to Gallese's right corner. Although Messi had a goal disallowed due to a slight offside margin in the 57th minute, Argentina's victory was resounding.

After the match, Messi expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "Yes, we have a good group and a good environment in our dressing room, and things are much easier. We enjoy being together and playing together. After we won the World Cup, we got confidence, we are more united and firm. I hope we can keep growing."

Fans from both Peru and Argentina tried to invade the field to embrace Messi, who has been instrumental in leading the World Cup champions to their eighth consecutive victory since their triumph in Qatar last year.

Uruguay 2, Brazil 0

Uruguay secured a historic win over Brazil, triumphing 2-0 in Montevideo. The first half saw a slow start until Maximiliano Araujo's impressive play on the left flank led to a cross, allowing Darwin Núnez to head the ball into the net.

The second half saw Brazil struggling to find their rhythm, while Uruguay remained ready to counterattack. Nicolás de la Cruz capitalized on a transition in the 77th minute, scoring from close range.

The loss dealt a significant blow to Brazil, which had its worst performance under new coach Fernando Diniz, and suffered its first defeat in 37 World Cup qualifying matches. Brazil's captain, Casemiro, expressed concerns about Neymar's injury, hoping it wouldn't be as serious as it appeared.

Uruguay's victory, coached by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, marked their first win against Brazil in 22 years, marking a historic moment for the team. Núñez remarked, "Today we made history."