Brazil booked their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a narrow yet decisive 1-0 victory over Paraguay. The win also marked Carlo Ancelotti’s first triumph as the national team manager.
Interestingly, the result ensures Brazil’s perfect record of qualifying for every edition of the prestigious tournament remains intact.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr found the net from close range. His goal came after clever build-up play from Matheus Cunha.
The match outcome means Brazil bounced back from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Ancelotti’s debut match last week.
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After the game, Vinicius Jr admitted the performance wasn’t flawless but stressed the importance of securing qualification early.
“We needed to win and qualify for the World Cup,” he said. He added that Ancelotti would now have the opportunity to fine-tune the squad ahead of the tournament. The star forward also expressed excitement, saying, “Now it’s time to celebrate qualifying.”
Argentina held by Colombia
Meanwhile, reigning world champions Argentina endured a tense encounter in Buenos Aires as they played a 1-1 draw with Colombia.
The visitors struck first through Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, who dazzled fans by weaving past three defenders before beating Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. Despite dominating possession, Argentina struggled to break down Colombia’s defense.
The home side’s challenge became even tougher when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off with 20 minutes left for a reckless high boot on Kevin Castano.
However, La Albiceleste showed resilience and salvaged a point late on. Lyon’s Thiago Almada leveled the score with a composed finish.
Ecuador draw again but qualify for World Cup
Elsewhere, Ecuador secured their place at next summer’s tournament following a goalless draw against Peru.
The draw was enough to confirm their qualification, leaving Argentina’s nearest challengers breathing easier as the competition heads into its final stretch.
Tags: Brazil, Argentina, Vinicius Jr, Carlo Ancelotti, Thiago Almada, Kevin Castano, Enzo Fernandez, Ecuador, #CONMEBOL, #2026FIFAWCQ, #WorldCupQualifiers, Emiliano Martinez.
