Brazil has officially booked its ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing qualification with a gritty 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the Corinthians Arena on Tuesday. A late first-half strike from Vinicius Junior proved to be the decisive moment, as Carlo Ancelotti celebrated a winning home debut as Brazil’s coach.
The match, which saw an updated kickoff time of 6:18 AM IST, was a testament to Brazil’s ability to grind out a result, even when not at their free-flowing best. From the outset, Ancelotti’s men asserted their dominance in possession, attempting to break down a resilient Paraguayan defense.
Early pressure yielded chances, including a notable miss from Vinicius Junior in the 12th minute after a precise pass from Cunha. However, the Real Madrid forward redeemed himself just before the break, capitalising on a loose ball and a quick delivery from Cunha to slot home from close range in the 44th minute.
The second half saw a more measured approach from Brazil, seemingly content to manage their lead. Paraguay, despite introducing fresh legs, struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with their attacking forays often lacking the cutting edge needed to trouble Alisson Becker in Brazil’s goal. Moments of concern did arise, including a goal-line clearance from Caceres that denied Brazil a second, and a worrying limp from goalscorer Vinicius Junior before his substitution.
As the final whistle blew, the Corinthians Arena erupted in celebration, marking not just a win, but a confirmed spot in the next World Cup. While the victory was straightforward for Ancelotti, it also highlighted areas for refinement, particularly in converting dominant possession into a more comfortable lead. For Paraguay, the search for goals continues, while Brazil can now look forward to building on this qualification as they prepare for the tournament in two years’ time.
For the latest sports news follow- Revsportz