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Morning Espresso, 3.26: Argentina will defend their title at the 2026 World Cup and more WCQ updates
Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.
Argentina clinched their spot at the World Cup before they even took the field last night, due to Bolivia's draw at home with Uruguay. The Albiceleste celebrated with a historic 4-1 in Buenos Aires over their rivals Brazil. The trash talking from Raphinha ahead of the match did not go over well and Argentina humbled their eternal rivals, earning the sweep against them in World Cup qualifying for the first time ever. Media in Brazil are speculating about the future of manager Dorival Junior now as Carlo Ancelotti's name has resurfaced.
Nestor Lorenzo's time as manager of Colombia is also in jeopardy after Los Cafeteros blew a 2-0 lead at home to Paraguay to draw 2-2 after a golazo from Julio Enciso. Colombia should be fine to qualify, three of their remaining four matches come against teams below them in the table.
Venezuela's home win over Peru could be the biggest win ever for the program as it gives them the lead in the race for the inter-confederation playoff spot and keeps their hopes alive of even jumping Colombia for the last automatic qualifying spot. Their next match at home against Bolivia will be one to watch for sure. Those two are separated by one point for the playoff spot.
Iran clinched their qualification with a home draw over Uzbekistan, who now have to face the United Arab Emirates in June to try to earn their first ever World Cup ticket.
Plenty of updates from Africa in the video, but the headline is Nigeria conceding late and now are in serious danger of qualifying for the World Cup. Many of the other expected teams are in good spots now to qualify, but Nigeria is looking less likely to make it.
The Gold Cup field is set with the biggest surprise last night seeing Guatemala overturn a first leg deficit to defeat Guyana. Jay Fortune's Trinidad and Tobago earned another trip to the Gold Cup alongside Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras, Suriname, and Guadeloupe.
Trinity Rodman is back with the USWNT for the first time since winning the Gold Medal at the Olympics for two upcoming friendlies against Brazil in California in April.
Big UEFA Women's Champions League second leg of the quarterfinal today in London as Real Madrid tries to qualify for their first semifinal appearances as they carry a 2-0 lead into a match with Arsenal.
A sad note to end this edition, US Soccer legend Hank Steinbrecher passed away yesterday at the age of 77. He helped modernize the federation into what it has become, overseeing it as the General Secretary from 1990-2000 and being part of incredible growth of the game in this country. While he professionalized so many aspects of the sport in this country, he never lost the personal touch to building relationships and helping grow the grassroots side of the game either. Soccer in the United States would not be where it is today without the tireless work of Hank Steinbrecher and everyone in the sport will miss him greatly.
More Espresso coming tomorrow on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago