Defending Olympic gold medalists Brazil have failed to qualify for the men’s football tournament at Paris 2024 following defeat to Argentina.
Argentina under-23s secured a 1-0 victory in Venezuela to qualify for this summer’s tournament at Brazil’s expense.
It means Brazil’s men’s football team will not be at the Olympics for the first time since 2004.
Argentinos Juniors forward Luciano Gondou scored the game’s decisive goal after 77 minutes, heading home Brighton left-back Valentin Barco’s delivery.
South America’s two qualification spots for Paris 2024 were determined by the CONMEBOL pre-Olympic tournament in January and February. Paraguay qualified alongside Argentina after a 2-0 victory over Venezuela.
Atlanta forward Thiago Almada finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
The men’s football tournament at the Olympics consists of under-23 sides, with a maximum of three overage players allowed.
Brazil won consecutive golds at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, beating Germany on penalties on home soil eight years ago, before defending their title with an extra-time win against Spain. They had also medalled at the previous two games, taking silver at London 2012 and Bronze at Beijing 2008.
Argentina won consecutive Olympic golds at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, but have either failed to qualify or progress pass the group stages in each of the past three Games.
(Federico Parra / AFP)
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