Brazil Book 2026 World Cup
Ticket With Win Over Paraguay
In Ancelotti’s First Victory
Brazil have officially secured
qualification for the 2026 FIFA
World Cup with a 1-0 victory over
Paraguay at the Arena
Corinthians in São Paulo, marking
their first win under new head
coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The result not only confirmed
Brazil’s place at next summer’s
finals but also extended their
dominant home record against
Paraguay to six consecutive wins.
Coming off a disappointing
goalless draw against Ecuador in
his debut match, Ancelotti
demanded a stronger
performance from his side.
The Italian tactician made three
changes to the starting lineup,
including the return of winger
Raphinha. However, Brazil
struggled in attack, displaying a
lack of fluidity in the final third
throughout the first half.
The hosts’ first real chance came
in the 30th minute when Vinicius
Junior failed to convert a square
pass from Matheus Cunha.
Paraguay, who were content to
absorb pressure, almost shocked
the home crowd when a
speculative scissor kick from
Juan Cáceres deflected just wide
of Alisson Becker’s goal.
Paraguay’s disciplined defence
eventually began to wear down
as halftime neared. Brazil nearly
broke the deadlock when Gabriel
Martinelli delivered a precise
cross to Cunha at the back post.
Rather than heading directly at
goal, Cunha attempted a
cushioned header back into the
danger zone, but it was
intercepted.
Just before the break, he
capitalised on a defensive lapse
after Raphinha drew three
defenders out of position.
Pouncing on the loose ball, Cunha
squared it for Vinicius, who
made no mistake from close
range to give Brazil a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Brazil
maintain pressure but lack a
clinical edge. Midfielder Bruno
Guimaraes came closest with a
clever lob that forced a reflex
save from Paraguay goalkeeper
Gatito Fernández.
Despite their growing
confidence, Paraguay was unable
to capitalise on Brazil’s missed
chances, although Júnior Alonso
came close with a header over
the bar following a chaotic long
throw.
Fernández again proved vital in
keeping Paraguay in the match,
pulling off sharp saves to deny
both Raphinha and Guimaraes
late on.
But one goal proved enough for
Brazil, who now celebrate
qualification with two matches
to spare – despite having only
two wins in their last six
qualifiers.
For Paraguay, the loss ends a 10-
match unbeaten run in World
Cup qualifying. However, Gustavo
Alfaro’s men remain in strong
contention for a spot at the 2026
tournament and require just one
more point from their remaining
two matches to seal a long-
awaited return to the World Cup
stage since their last appearance
in 2010.