Whistles echoed through the Arena Pantanal as Neymar walked down the steps to the dressing rooms and a bucket of popcorn spilled over his head. In Brazilian football, pipoqueiro – popcorn sellers – are the insults given to those who think they are the greatest but never keep their promises. It doesn’t make any banging noises, just like when you heat popcorn. He was busy, but also too theatrical and not effective enough in the 1-1 (0-0) draw against Venezuela. At the start of the South American qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals, the 31-year-old, who arrived late on Tuesday flamboyantly with a stylized M in his haircut for his recently born daughter Mavie, had the all-time goal in the 5-1 win against Bolivia with his international goals number 78 and 79 Pele (77) was at least outclassed, kicked the corners to the goals in the 1-0 win in Peru and now against Venezuela, but once again infuriated everyone in Cuiaba with his falling addiction and incessant complaining.
Argentina is completely different, Lionel Messi is much more relaxed. The 36-year-old sat on the bench for a half due to the muscular problems that have kept him out of action at Inter Miami for a while, making him the most applauded reserve in Argentina’s football history. A corner that was almost immediately converted and a free kick that hit the post sent the 80,000 fans in the Monumental in Buenos Aires into ecstasy after his substitution. Because others delivered. Veteran Nicolas Otamendi started the 1-0 (1-0) against Paraguay early with a volley, his first goal in the national jersey in five years. “The situation was rehearsed,” praised Messi. In addition, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez set a record with 621 minutes without conceding a goal. “He deserves it. A credit to the whole team,” said Messi. And Neymar? He got support from interim coach Fernando Diniz after the popcorn rain (“I totally disapprove of that”). The 49-year-old coach had to admit: “We created chances for a second, third or fourth goal, but didn’t take them.” After all: The Selecao remains undefeated in the 37th game in the Eliminatorias, thanks to the goal from central defender Gabriel Magalhaes (50th).
