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The CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers brought a mouth-watering action on Tuesday night as Argentina beat Peru 2-0 to consolidate their lead at the top with a perfect run in their first four matches. On the other hand, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 as Neymar Jr. was stretchered off during the game after suffering an apparent leg injury.
Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who helped his team to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, broke another record as he scored a brace against Peru. Messi took just 10 minutes to score back-to-back goals for La Albicieste and break the CONMEBOL record for most goals in World Cup Qualifying. With his 31st goal in the Qualifiers, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner surpassed his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez's 29 goals tally in the competition.
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The 36-year-old Messi was close to scoring his 58th hattrick, however, the goal was disallowed after the VAR check. Argentina have won all four of their World Cup Qualifying matches so far and with a clean sheet against Peru Lionel Scaloni's side are yet to concede a goal in the competition.
Uruguay beat Brazil after 22 years
In another CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier between Uruguay and Brazil, Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez continued his good form and scored the opener in the match while the 24-year-old assisted midfielder Nicolás de la Cruz for his side's second goal against the five-time World Cup winners.
With two goals against Brazil, Uruguay marked their first win against the Seleção in 22 years as they last won a World Cup qualifier game against Brazil on July 1, 2001, by 1-0 at the Estadio Centenario, Montevideo.
Apart from that, Brazil's star forward Neymar Jr. was stretchered off in tears in the final minutes of the first half after suffering an apparent left leg injury. Neymar went down in the 45+1 minute following a challenge by De la Cruz and was forced to exit the match in tears.
