BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina is proving it can win without Lionel Messi, just in case he opts not to play in the 2026 World Cup. After Argentina secured a spot in next year’s competition, the main question now is whether the 37-year-old star will play in his sixth tournament and try to win back-to-back championships.

No Lionel Messi, no problem for Argentina as the reigning, defending World Cup winners tore through Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

We will see what happens, there’s plenty of time," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "We must go one game a time otherwise (we) will be speaking about the same thing the r