South American Olympic men’s football qualifier: Defending champions Brazil lose out as Paraguay and Argentina obtain Olympic quotas 

After a dramatic last round of matches in the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, Paraguay and Argentina have secured men's football quotas for the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.

While both nations will be celebrating their chance to compete for gold in France, the tournament ended with misery for Brazil whose 1-0 loss to Argentina in their final game saw them miss out on the chance to defend the Olympic titles they claimed at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

While on paper, Paraguay may not have the star names of a nation like Brazil, their performance in the final group stage, where they registered two wins and a draw from three matches, saw them walk away as tournament winners.

For Argentina, a headed goal from Argentinos Juniors’ Luciano Gondou in the 78th minute against Brazil was enough to secure the second quota on offer for Paris - and eliminate their arch-rivals in the process.

Brazil crash out of Olympic qualifying tournament as historic rivals secure spot in Paris

The scenario for Brazil was simple heading into their final game of the tournament. Anything other than a loss would see them obtain a quota for this year’s Olympics.

But things didn’t go to plan for the men in gold and green.

After a match in which Argentina enjoyed 61% possession and 14 shots to Brazil’s nine, a single decisive moment ended Brazil’s Olympic dreams.

With less than 12 minutes to play, Gondou rose highest to meet Valentin Barco’s cross and headed the ball into the corner of the net. Brazil could not respond.

Argentina’s victory will now see them installed as one of the favourites to win gold in the Olympic football tournament, having claimed the title at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

After the final whistle, coach Javier Mascherano also raised the possibility that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Beijing gold medallist Lionel Messi may be persuaded to compete in the Olympic tournament, where three players over the age of 23 can be selected.

"Everyone knows my relationship with Leo... and the doors are open for him to join us," he said.

• As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
• Click here to see the official qualification system for each sport.

Paraguay return to Olympics for first time after silver medal 20 years ago

For tournament winners Paraguay, the dream of fighting again for Olympic gold is now a reality.

The last time they competed at the Games they left with a silver medal, having been beaten in the final by Argentina at Athens 2004.

After an exceptional Olympic qualifying tournament in Venezuela, which also included a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the first game of the final group stage, La Albirroja can now begin their preparations for Paris.

Their final-day victory over Venezuela was the icing on the cake with a 48th-minute penalty from Diego Gomez and a 75th-minute strike from Marcelo Perez enough to seal a comfortable victory and that much-coveted quota for Paris.

• Paraguay's greatest goal