Brazil captain Marquinhos issued a heartfelt apology to fans after the Sele��o endured their heaviest-ever World Cup qualifying defeat, a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of fierce rivals Argentina at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The loss exposed Brazil�s faltering form, with just one win in their last four matches, leaving their 2026 World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance.
The five-time world champions were outclassed from the outset, conceding twice within the opening 15 minutes as Argentina, already qualified for the 2026 tournament, showcased their dominance. Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and debutant Giuliano Simeone scored for the hosts, with Matheus Cunha�s lone strike offering Brazil scant consolation in a first half that saw them muster just one shot on target.
Speaking to Brazilian TV Globo post-match, a visibly shaken Marquinhos described the performance as �embarrassing� and urged his teammates to rally quickly. �What we did here today can�t happen again,� he said. �We started the game very badly, far below what we could do, and they�re on a great run of confidence. They knew how to play smart. I�m sorry for our fans.�
The defeat piles further pressure on manager Dorival Jr, who has struggled to win over Brazil�s passionate supporters since taking charge in early 2024. With only seven victories in 16 games under his stewardship, criticism has mounted, but Marquinhos was quick to share the blame. �It�s not just the coach�s fault�it�s the players� fault too,� he admitted. �There�s no secret formula in football. We can all do better. We have to share the blame and be humble.�
Argentina�s manager Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, hailed his side�s collective brilliance. �We played as a team, and that�s why we minimised Brazil,� he told reporters. �We played at the highest level, but we have to keep proving ourselves, knowing it won�t always be like this.�
In the CONMEBOL standings, Argentina sit comfortably atop the table, their qualification secured, while Brazil cling to fourth place with 21 points. With just six points separating them from seventh-placed Venezuela�who occupy the inter-confederation playoff spot�Brazil face a critical stretch to secure an automatic berth for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
For Marquinhos and his teammates, the road ahead demands introspection and urgency. �It�s about understanding the moment,� he said, a call to action for a side desperate to restore their storied reputation after a night to forget in Buenos Aires.
