Brazil suffered their fourth defeat in five qualifying
games with a 1-0 loss to Paraguay as Argentina were beaten 2-1 by Colombia in
the latest qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
Inter Miami's Diego Gomez scored the winner for Paraguay in
Asuncion after 20 minutes as Brazil failed to register a shot on target in the
first half.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Newcastle midfielder Bruno
Guimaraes and West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta all started all started for
Brazil with the Real Madrid trio of Rodrygo, Endrick and Vinicius Jr in attack.
The result leaves five-time world champions Brazil fifth in
the qualifying table with just three wins in their eight games.
Manager Dorival Jr was appointed in January and his side
lost in the Copa America quarter-finals in the summer.
"The coach is still figuring out the best way for us to
play and that's reflected in the result," defender Marquinhos told
Brazilian TV Globo. "There are a lot of new players, we are lacking
confidence.
"Qualifying isn't easy, it's a difficult time and we
have to know how to manage it. It's a time of transition, we're not feeling
confident. We're going to work hard, getting results on the pitch is the best
answer."
Messi-less Argentina beaten by Colombia in Copa America
rematch
Former Real Madrid and Everton midfielder James Rodriguez
was the hero for Colombia as the 33-year-old scored the winner from the penalty
spot to down the reigning world champions, who were without Lionel Messi.
It was revenge for Colombia who lost to Argentina in the
Copa America final two months ago.
Rodriguez, now at La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, crossed for
Wolves' Yerson Mosquera to score the opener with a header in the 25th minute in
Barranquilla.
Nicolas Gonzalez levelled for Argentina three minutes after
the break but Nicolas Otamendi then fouled Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz and a
penalty was given after a video assistant referee review.
Captain Rodriguez sent Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano
Martinez the wrong way from the spot to score the 60th-minute winner.
"I don't think I've ever scored against them - there's
a first time for everything," said Rodriguez.
"We want to get used to playing finals. Today was just
another game, but against a team that has won everything - this victory tastes
even better."
Elsewhere, midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who joined Manchester
United last month from Paris St-Germain, started for Uruguay in their 0-0 draw
at Venezuela.
Argentina remain top of the 10-team table by two points from
second-placed Colombia.
The top six teams automatically qualify after 18 rounds of
fixtures, which carry on until September 2025. The seventh-placed side go into
an intercontinental play-off against a team from another confederation.
In Asia's World Cup qualifiers, Australia were held to a 0-0
draw at Indonesia on Tuesday, having lost 1-0 at home to Bahrain in their
opening match last Thursday.
Japan, also in Australia's group, were 5-0 winners away to
Bahrain as Premier League trio Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
and Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) all started for Japan.
South Korea recorded their first win in World Cup 2026
qualifying, beating Oman 3-1 with Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Wolves
forward Hwang Hee-chan on target.
