The former Valencia midfielder delivered the decisive strike in a match where Lionel Messi, despite lingering physical discomfort, played a supporting role more than a starring one.
In the moments before Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Brazil, international discourse centered on Messi’s record against Brazil. He had yet to break through against the Selecao in an official game, and with the World Cup reigning champions headed for the storied Maracana, many wondered if this encounter could finally mark that breakthrough moment for him.
What followed revealed a different narrative. Messi emerged as the peacemaker of the night, guiding his teammates off the pitch as organizers wrestled with the aftermath of a chaotic pre-kickoff scene. Once play resumed after a 30-minute delay, Messi did not ascend to the role of the hero. The game’s decisive moment came from Nicolás Otamendi, whose finish gave Argentina a 1-0 victory and kept them on track for an early qualification for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
The result deepened Brazil’s sense of misfortune, extending their streak to three consecutive defeats—an unusual run for the five-time world champions. The dynamic felt heavier because the win carried extra weight in a South American qualifying campaign that values momentum as highly as points.
Argentina’s victory was not a clean or stylish performance from the outset. The match started with a palpable tension, and the tempo never settled into a comfortable rhythm for either side as players wrestled with the earlier disruptions and a charged atmosphere at the Maracana. Yet once the dust began to settle, Argentina found their opportunity and pressed toward it with calculated patience, seizing the moment when Brazil’s defense showed signs of vulnerability. The home advantage that Brazil usually enjoyed in these qualifiers shifted on the night, marking a rare setback for the team on familiar turf.
GOAL rates the Argentinian performance in the intense, crowd-drawn drama at the Maracaná, highlighting the balance between resolve and restraint that characterized the visitors’ approach on the night. The decisive strike by Otamendi stood out not merely for its execution but as a symbol of Argentina’s collective resolve in a match underscored by off-field tension and on-field urgency. The win reinforces Argentina’s path toward a hopeful early qualification and signals a persistent challenge to Brazil’s aspirations in the campaign ahead. The narrative of the night will be remembered for its blend of misfortune, virtue, and a single moment of clinical top-level finishing that decided the verdict on the field. (Goal)