Brazil-Paraguay 1-0: Ancelotti qualifies for the 2026 World Cup

A nice gift for Carlo Ancelotti on the evening of his 66th birthday: Brazil beats Paraguay 1-0 with goals by Vinicius, his player at Real Madrid, and the Verdeoro national team qualifies with two shifts in advance at the 2026 world championship. It is the first victory of the Italian coach, at the second match at the helm of Brazil.

Carletto wishes

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Many tributes to the technician. Before the game a beautiful choreography on the stands of the new química Arena, Corinthians stadium in San Paolo: “Parabéns Carletto”, or “Carletto wishes”. Against Paraguay you already see a more organized Brazil, with four attackers who move with great reactivity. Now Ancelotti will have more time and above all more tranquility to grow the team. Brazil, which rises from the fourth to third place in the South American group with 25 points in 16 races, continues to be the only country qualified to the final phase of all the world championship tournaments.

Ancelotti changes

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Compared to the 0-0 in Ancelotti’s debut on the Brazil bench, the CT of the Seleção changes players and scheme. From 4-3-3 he passes to 4-2-4. Raphinha, after having served the disqualification, enters the place of Estêvão to the right wing. Matheus Cunha notes Richarlison, varying on the attack front. Martinelli takes over from Gérson: an extra striker on the left, with Vinicius a little more internal in the first half and more wing in the second fraction. In midfield confirmed Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães pushing median. The initial defense is the same, with Vanderson, Marquinhos, Alex, Alex Sandro (similar names different players). Alisson on goal. In the meantime, Gustavo Alfaro deploy Paraguay with the trident formed by the Torinista Sanabria alongside Almirón and Enciso: 4-3-3, at least on paper, because the team is very closed, especially in the first half.

goal dedicated to the coach

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Brazil takes the initiative. First good opportunity wasted by wines at 11 ‘in slip, not finding the sphere on the razor cross of Matheus Cunha. At 28 ‘it is the turn of the Paraguay: dangerous shot in the Sanabria area diverted to the corner by the defense. At 34 ‘Matheus Cunha is sensationally wrong by header after a played masterpiece by Martinelli on the left. But Brazil dominates and finally arrives the first goal of the Ancelotti era in the 43 ‘. Vinicius made it in the small area after a spectacular intervention by Matheus Cunha, who tears the ball from the Paraguayan defense and crosses from the bottom for the Madridist. Vinicius celebrates with Ancelotti dedicating the goal to him: “It’s for you”, with big hug to the coach

balance

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Paraguay is looking for the reaction in the second half, the game is more balanced. At 13 ‘Cáceres on the save line on Bruno Guimarães’ conclusion. A minute is Alisson to stop Sanadria’s shot. At 26 ‘Júnior Alonso hits head by sending the crossbar above. At 31 ‘Martinelli touches the doubling. At 2 ‘from the end he then touched Bruno Guimarães to see his blow stopped by goalkeeper Gatito Fernández.

I am Italian

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“It was a good game, we checked it well in the first half. We fell in the second, but we played a good test. We have to work. We have a year to do it well.” Two games, zero goals suffered. A stronger Brazil in defense. Ancelotti replies smiling: “Well, I’m Italian … Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães have given their best. I am happy”. Many Wines Júnior and Raphinha wines, uncomfortable opponent in the time of Real and now on her. And he does not exclude a priori Neymar, persecuted by injuries: “He came to visit us in the hotel before the game. Neymar can play anywhere in the field” says the green -gold technician, who will follow the club world championship in the United States: “There are seventy players to be observed for the 2026 world championship. We do not yet have a final list of 25 or 26 players”.

more time

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“The coach will have more time to work, prepare for the World Cup. Clear, today it was one of our best games,” says Vinicius, who will not be there on September 4 when Brazil will receive the tail light and already eliminated Chile: disqualified for the sum of warnings. Ancelotti’s team will then close the qualifications on 9 September against Bolivia away. Ecuador (25 points like Brazil) with 0-0 in Peru qualifies in advance in the World Cup. Argentina, already certain of the first place, draws 1-1 at home with Colombia. The first six of the South American single group pass directly to the world tournament while the seventh in the standings will play the intercontinental play -offs.