Argentina secures a World Cup spot and then celebrates it with a 4-1 victory over archrival Brazil

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Defending champion Argentina celebrated throughout Tuesday as the team secured its place at the 2026 World Cup hours before an historic 4-1 win over archrival Brazil.

Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay meant Argentina had enough cushion in South American qualifying to secure one of the continent’s six direct spots for the 48-team World Cup set to be co-hosted next year by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

After Bolivia's 0-0 draw with Uruguay at El Alto, about 85,000 raucous Argentina fans kicked off the festivities at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium despite the absence of Lionel Messi. They were chanting into the night in Buenos Aires, now more confident their team can defend the World Cup title.

For Brazil, its worst deficit in South American World Cup qualifying history compounded pressure on coach Dorival Júnior.

Brazil is in fourth place in South American qualifying with 21 points, 10 behind Argentina but only two behind second-place Ecuador, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Chile. Third-place Uruguay and fifth-place Paraguay also have 21 points, and Colombia is one point behind them in sixth. Seventh-place Venezuela has 15 points after a 1-0 win over 9th-place Peru.

Brazil was missing three regular starters — goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhães and midfielder Bruno Guimarães — and wasn't really competitive from start to finish.

It's the first time Argentina has won both matches against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying tournament. The home victory was also Argentina's first against the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

Argentina has led South American qualifying from the start, with few hiccups and major away wins at Brazil and Uruguay. But coach Lionel Scaloni has not fielded 37-year-old Messi in several games, which still raises doubts on whether the star will play at the World Cup next year.

Messi has an injury to his adductor and was not included in Argentina’s squad for the two latest matches.

Striker Julián Álvarez said Argentina's big win "is historic because of the rival, the context, what was said, the great match we played and because we are qualified to the World Cup."

“Very humbly we did our work," he said.

Argentina scored its two first goals in only 12 minutes of play, both thanks to accurate passing and some clumsy Brazilian defending.

Alvarez netted the first in the 4th minute after Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana failed to reach the ball. The Argentina striker shot between the legs of goalkeeper Bento from close range.

Argentina scored again eight minutes later with Enzo Fernández, once again from close range after a low cross by Gonzalo Molina.

Brazil got one back via Matheus Cunha in the 26th after a mistake by Cristian Romero, who lost the ball to the Brazilian by the edge of the box. Enzo Fernandez found Alexis Mac Allister bursting into the penalty box unmarked 11 minutes later to make it 3-1 to Argentina.

During the break, Brazil sought to get some grip by boosting its presence in the midfield with Joao Gomes and the substitution of Murillo and striker Rodrygo. But it was to no avail, with Giuliano Simeone scoring for Argentina in the 71st after four Brazilian defenders failed to block a low cross in front of their goal.

“Everything we planned, from the first minute of play, did not happen,” Brazil’s coach told a news conference. "Argentina was much better in every way. I apologize to Brazil fans, we expected something very different from what we showed. It was a very difficult night for us.”

Brazil captain Marquinhos said all players should have done better in Buenos Aires.

"It isn't only about Dorival,” Marquinhos said. “This is not only the coach's fault, it is the players too. We need to have our heads in the right place. They (Argentina) also had tough times before and they overcame it. We can do it too.”

Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil's soccer confederation, said he'd speak to the domestic media Wednesday, but didn't reply whether Dorival Júnior was going to be his main topic.

Argentine players celebrated with their fans, asking for “a minute of silence” for Brazil. Scaloni's team has not lost to their rivals since 2019.

The next South American World Cup qualifiers will be played in June.

Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores his side's second goal against Brazil during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, left, and Brazil's Raphinha argue during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Brazil's Joao Gomes walks off the field after his side's 1-4 lost against Argentina in a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Fireworks go off after Argentina defeated Brazil in a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Argentina's Leandro Paredes celebrates after defeating Brazil in a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Uruguay's coach Marcelo Bielsa gives instructions during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres, right, and Bolivia's Gabriel Villamil vie for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Uruguay's Darwin Nunez, right, and Bolivia's Hector Cuellar vie for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Fans of Argentina celebrate as their team defeated Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox traded veteran outfielder Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in a swap between contending teams.

The White Sox also sent $250,000 in international bonus pool money to the Phillies for minor league outfielder Dylan Campbell and minor league infielder José Colmenares.

The 30-year-old Hill is batting .213 with four homers, eight RBIs and seven steals in 50 games this season. He was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in September.

Chicago also acquired outfielder Nolan Jones and cash from Cleveland for $250,000 in international bonus pool money. The 28-year-old Jones will report to Triple-A Charlotte.

Philadelphia added to its outfield depth after Adolis García departed Wednesday night's 7-4 victory at Toronto because of a pulled muscle in his right shoulder. García was expected to get some imaging on Thursday.

The Phillies are 28-12 since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in April. They had an off day before beginning a weekend series at NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Friday night.

To make room on Philadelphia's 40-man roster, right-hander Jackson Rutledge was designated for assignment.

Chicago had won four of six going into Thursday night's game against Atlanta. After dropping at least 101 games in each of the previous three years, the White Sox began the day on top of the AL Central with a 36-31 record.

White Sox manager Will Venable praised Hill for his contribution to the team on and off the field.

“Really just a situation where we were in a little bit of a roster crunch there,” Venable said. “It speaks to D. Hill and his performance and who he is that there was a lot of interest in him and it also speaks to where our club is at that we are able to or really needed to push a really good player off our roster.”

Chicago also activated outfielder Everson Pereira from the 10-day injured list before its series finale against Atlanta. The 25-year-old Pereira had been sidelined by a right pectoral strain.

“It took a little more time than I was expecting to, but I feel very good right now,” Pereira said through a translator. "I don’t think I have to be concerned about it throughout the season.”

Pereira was in the starting lineup against the Braves, batting fifth and playing center field. Shortstop Colson Montgomery also returned to the lineup after missing two games because of back soreness.

“He’s going to have to manage it his whole career,” Venable said of Montgomery. “With backs, it’s something he’s dealt with in the past. Something he’ll deal with in the future. I don’t think to the degree you are concerned other than the daily maintenance you have to do to keep your body functioning properly.”

Jones had a big year for Colorado in 2023, batting .297 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 20 steals in 106 games. But he struggled for much of the past two seasons, hitting a career-low .211 with five homers in 136 games with the Guardians in 2025.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Chicago White Sox's Derek Hill hits a one-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)