In his second game ahead of the Brazilian team, Carlo Ancelotti won his first victory. More than that: the 1-0 triumph over Paraguay on Tuesday night (10) at Neo Chemistry Arena in Sao Paulo confirmed the Canarinho team’s classification for the 2026 World Cup.
After Venezuela’s defeat to Uruguay, 2-0, in a match that started about an hour and a half before the ball rolled in Itaquera, the Brazilian formation was enough to win his commitment to reach the goal.
Provisally second in the qualifying table, with 25 points added, Brazil opened seven an advantage over Venezuela, which is in seventh place, in the recap zone, two rounds from the end of the event. Thus, at worst, the team that is now directed by Ancelotti will end the qualifying tournament in sixth position, which is worth direct place in the World Cup.
It was not easy. Paraguay adopted in Sao Paulo a strong boom, seeking the draw that would classify him for the World Cup. Unlike what it presented at the Italian coach debut, in the goalless draw with Ecuador, Brazil had more the ball and sought offensive alternatives.
Aware that the opponent would adopt a very different strategy from that used by Ecuador, the coach stirred the team in an attempt to unlock a more engaging football. With the return of Raphinha, who returned from suspension and had the company of Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior in front, the Brazilian team spent much of the game in the attack, running the ball, until opening the spaces in Paraguayan defense.
Although he created a few clear chances in the first half, he managed to open the scoring after 43 minutes, when Matheus Cunha stole the ball and loaded it before serving Vinicius Junior, who diverted in the small area.
The goal was fundamental to keep the demanding fans from São Paulo next to the team. More than 45,000 were at the stadium despite the 13th C cold. While the score was zero, they protested against the Paraguayan athletes trying to gain in time with each interruption.
Not even with the goal of Vinicius the Paraguay was exposed. The team led by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro maintained cautious formation and risked a little more only in half an hour final, taking danger in stopped balls. Brazil managed to neutralize these attacks and sustained the victory.
The selection thus sealed its classification on the same stage where it had done so in the previous two qualifiers. It was also at the Corinthians stadium in Itaquera, that the team qualified for the 2018 and 2022 worlds.
On the day until the 2018 Cup in Russia, the place was secured with a victory over Paraguay itself in March 2017, by 3-0. In 2021, the passport was stamped to the World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 triumph over Colombia.
Tuesday’s game was the sixth of the Brazilian team at Neo Chemistry Arena, and the victory maintained it with 100% use on site. There are now four rounds for the qualifiers, one for the 2019 Copa America and one at the opening of the 2014 World Cup, 3-1 over Croatia.
Confirmation two rounds in advance will give Ancelotti tranquility to test in the upcoming national team games in recent times.
Even with the change in the format, with six countries classifying directly to the World Cup, the irregular journey of the Brazilian team prevented that this type of work could be done longer, as does, for example, Argentina. The current world champions secured a place in March this year, in the 14th round, with a defeat over Brazil, 4-1.
The defeat against Argentina marked the end of Dorival Júnior’s passage, fired on March 28. The national team was almost two months without command until the hit with Ancelotti, announced on May 12, becoming the fourth foreign in charge. The Uruguayan Ramón Platero (1925), the Portuguese Joreca (1944) and the Argentine Filpo Núñez (1965).
Since his arrival, Ancelotti has been embraced by fans and much of the press, especially for his success at Real Madrid – with 15 titles won, is the most victorious coach in the club’s history.
That’s why the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), still under the command of Ednaldo Rodrigues, shortly before his removal from the entity’s presidency, agreed to pay about $ 5 million a month to count on Italian in his staff. Ednaldo’s replacement, Samir Xaud, did not change the plan.
The main objective with the investment is to fight for the 2026 World Cup title.
