In the Brazilian team’s last match in 2024, the team led by Dorival Júnior drew 1-1 against Uruguay at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, in a match valid for the 12th round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. After the match, the team heard boos from the fans.
With the result, Brazil dropped one position in the league table and ended the year in 5th, with 18 points — the top six guarantee a direct place in the World Cup. Argentina, who beat Peru 1-0 at the Bombonera, in Buenos Aires, leads, with 25.
Coming from a draw against Venezuela away from home, the five-time champion team took advantage of the support of the fans to start the match by putting pressure on Uruguay in the opponent’s field, but without being able to create real chances of danger for Uruguayan archer Rochet’s goal. Ederson didn’t need to make any big saves in the first half either.
After the break, with both teams looking for a result, the goals didn’t take long to come.
In the 9th minute, Real Madrid midfielder Valverde received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, got rid of Bruno Guimarães’ marking and hit the left corner of the Brazilian goal, with no chance of defense for Ederson.
Soon after the goal, Dorival Júnior made changes to the team, with the addition of Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli in place of Igor Jesus and Abner.
Shortly after, at 16, the equalizer came with Gerson, who hit a strong low shot from the edge of the penalty area after a cut by the Uruguayan defense. It was the Flamengo midfielder’s first goal with the Brazilian team’s shirt.
Brazil got excited after the goal and created a series of good opportunities, mainly with Vinicius Junior and Martinelli, but without effectiveness.
Dorival also put Estêvão on the field on the right wing, replacing Savinho, but the Palmeiras jewel was unable to break through the Uruguayan defense.
“I would trade my goal for victory. We knew it was a very difficult game and we came here wanting to win”, declared Gerson on leaving the field to TV Globo.
“We tried from the first minute until the end. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but we ended the year with a point that, in our journey, will be very important”, said Raphinha, one of the best in field against Uruguay.
It was the 81st meeting between Brazil and Uruguay, with 38 victories for the Brazilian team, 21 for the Uruguayan team, in addition to 22 draws.
The last Brazilian victory against Celeste was in October 2021, in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with a 4-1 victory at Arena Amazônia, in Manaus. Neymar, Raphinha (twice) and Gabigol scored for Brazil, with Luis Suárez scoring for the celestial team.
In the last two clashes, Uruguay came out on top, with a 2-0 victory in the Qualifiers, in October 2023, in a match that was marked by Neymar’s serious injury. In the quarter-finals of the Copa América, in July, the Uruguayans won on penalties 4-2, after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
In Dorival Júnior’s first year at the helm of the national team, there were six wins, seven draws and one defeat.
During the period, the yellow-green team had an important victory against England at Wembley, in the coach’s debut, and drew against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu afterwards, in addition to achieving a 4-1 victory against Paraguay in the Copa América, and 4-0 against Peru in the Qualifiers.
But they ended up being eliminated early in the Copa América, with a poor performance on the field that drew criticism from the players and coach.
Dorival’s work was also marked during the period by constant changes in the starting lineup in search of an ideal formation.
Without receiving many opportunities at Real Madrid, Endrick also ended up losing space in the team, with the coach favoring the Brazilian Championship leader Botafogo duo, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus.
In midfield, Gerson took the lead and was one of the positive highlights, taking advantage of Lucas Paquetá’s below-expected performance, who is facing investigations into alleged manipulation in Premier League matches.
Brazil’s next match in the Qualifiers is scheduled for March 20, when they face Colombia at home. It will then face current world champion Argentina at its opponent’s home ground, on the 25th.
