ROME (ITALPRESS) – Argentina and Brazil were defeated on the 18th and final matchday of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
At the Estadio Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, world champion Argentina lost 1-0 to hosts Ecuador. Relegated to numerical inferiority in the 31st minute following Otamendi’s red card, Scaloni’s team conceded a penalty from Valencia in the 13th minute of first-half stoppage time. Inter captain Lautaro Martinez started, but was shown a yellow card after six minutes and replaced by Alvarez in the 63rd minute. Ancelotti’s Brazil, also suffering their first defeat as Selecao coach, lost 1-0, both from the penalty spot and in added time in the first 45 minutes, at the Estadio Municipal in El Alto, to Bolivia, who celebrated in the 49th minute with a Miguelito goal. Roma’s Wesley was the only player on the bench.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
