Brazil qualified for the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night (Dutch time). The Brazilians won 1-0 against Paraguay, which proved enough for a World Cup ticket.
The only goal of the evening in São Paulo was scored by Vinícius Júnior. The Real Madrid star slid in a cross from Matheus Cunha, Manchester United’s million-dollar signing, from close range.
The first victory under the leadership of coach Carlo Ancelotti, who debuted on Thursday with a goalless draw against Ecuador, proved enough for Brazil to go to the World Cup again.
In South America, the best six countries of the qualifying series qualify for the World Cup, which will be held next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With two games to go, number three Brazil has 25 points, 7 points more than number seven Venezuela.
Brazil thus maintains its perfect series of World Cup appearances. The Brazilians have always qualified for the global finals since the introduction of the World Cup in 1930. ‘The Divine Canaries’ became world champions five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
In the same qualifying series, Ecuador qualified for the World Cup. A goalless draw against Peru proved enough for a starting ticket. That crucial point was hard-fought, as Ecuador played with one less man in the last quarter due to a red card.
It will be Ecuador’s fifth participation in the World Cup, which will consist of 48 countries next year. The country’s best performance is a round of 16 place at the 2006 World Cup. At the last World Cup in Qatar, Ecuador was eliminated in the group stage in a group with the Netherlands.
Uruguay and Paraguay still need one point to qualify for the World Cup. Uruguay won 2-0 against Venezuela, taking a big step towards the global finals. The last two qualifying matches will be played in September.
Colombia is also close to a ticket after a 1-1 draw against world champion Argentina. Luis Díaz of Liverpool gave the Colombians an early lead in Buenos Aires. Argentina came alongside in the final phase, despite midfielder Enzo Fernández receiving a red card after a hard foul.