De Paul hails Argentina as ‘best national team’ after Brazil win

Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul believes the Albiceleste’s ability to show up in big games is what sets them apart as the best team in international football.

Argentina overcame crowd trouble at the Maracana in the early hours of Wednesday to claim a 1-0 win over Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The match began in unforeseen circumstances with some Argentina fans being attacked by Brazilian police in the stands, leading to Lionel Scaloni’s men exiting the pitch for the tunnel before kickoff until the violence had been curtailed.

De Paul was crucial in a four-man midfield alongside Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez to establish control and balance for Argentina in the encounter.

A 63rd-minute towering header from Nicolas Otamendi off a Lo Celso cross was enough to hand Brazil their first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier.

Speaking to the press after the game, the Atletico Madrid man said: “We are the best national team in the world. We speak on the field, we have the big balls.”

“I showed today once again that I’m leaving everything for this shirt. We made history”.

Argentina entrenched themselves as table toppers in the South America 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, rising two points clear of rivals Uruguay.

However, the defeat means a third consecutive loss for Brazil who now drop to sixth place in the qualifying standings.