Brazil Secures First Win Under Ancelotti, Clinches 2026 World Cup Spot
In a hard-fought match, Brazil secured a 1-0 win over Paraguay at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, marking their first victory under the guidance of Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti. The win not only brought relief to the Brazilian fans but also sealed their spot in the 2026 World Cup.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the match was a closely contested affair, with Paraguay’s defence proving to be a formidable challenge for the Brazilian team. The home side dominated possession but struggled to break down the Paraguayan backline, with their only goal coming in the 44th minute through a Vinícius Júnior strike.
The Brazilian team, led by Ancelotti, started with a bold approach, fielding four forwards in Cunha, Vinícius, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raphinha. However, they were met with a resolute Paraguayan defence that limited them to just a few scoring opportunities in the first half. As Mundo Deportivo notes, "La Albirroja y su afinado sistema defensivo desesperó a la pentacampeona del mundo."
The second half saw Brazil repeat the pattern of the first, with a high-intensity start and periods of uncertainty. They could have extended their lead through Bruno Guimarães, but Cáceres made a crucial clearance on the line. Paraguay, on the other hand, continued to threaten through set-pieces, an area that will require attention from Ancelotti.
The win marked a significant milestone for Ancelotti, who celebrated his 66th birthday with a victory. As Mundo Deportivo reports, "El exentrenador del Real Madrid sacó su lado más italiano en los últimos minutos. Se olvidó de los cuatro delanteros y metió a Gerson para darle más equilibrio al centro del campo."
The match also saw Paraguay’s Julio Enciso impress with his skill and agility, earning him praise from fans and pundits alike. As Mundo Deportivo notes, "El paraguayo Julio Enciso solo pudo ser parado a base de faltas."
The result sees Brazil move up the standings, while Paraguay’s hopes of a direct spot in the World Cup are now all but extinguished. However, they still have a chance to secure a spot through the playoffs.
Match Details
- Brazil: Alisson; Vanderson (m.89 Danilo), Marquinhos, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Alex Sandro (m.74 Lucas Beraldo); Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Martinelli; Raphinha, Vinícius (m.78 Richarlison) and Matheus Cunha (m.79 Gerson).
- Paraguay: Roberto Fernández; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete; Junior Alonso (m.86 Agustín Sández), Diego Gómez (m.61 Ángel Romero), Andrés Cubas, Mathías Villasanti (m.61 Damián Bobadilla); Miguel Almirón (m.86 Alejandro Romero), Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria (m.69 Gabriel Ávalos).
- Goal: 1-0, Vinícius (m. 44)
- Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
The win is a significant boost for Ancelotti, who has been tasked with reviving Brazil’s fortunes on the international stage. With this victory, Brazil has secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup, marking a major milestone for the team and the coach. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, this win brings a sense of relief and optimism to the Brazilian camp.
