On Tuesday, September 10th, Brazil faced another setback in their World Cup Qualifying campaign, losing 1-0 to Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco Stadium. This defeat was a blow to fans who had hoped for a stronger performance.
The only goal of the match came from Diego Gómez, who struck a superb three-finger shot past Alisson after a cleared cross and rebound. It was a moment of brilliance from the Paraguayan midfielder, but it highlighted the struggles of Brazil’s defense.
Throughout the game, Brazil struggled with creativity. They had few chances, and their best opportunity came right after Paraguay’s goal. Guilherme Arana saw his effort cleared off the line by Junior Alonso. Despite attempts by Lucas Paquetá, Endrick, João Pedro, and Vini Jr., Brazil couldn’t find the net.
Paraguay, taking advantage of their lead, focused on counterattacks. Isidro Pitta and Enciso made some threatening plays but couldn’t add to the score. Brazil’s lack of innovation and effective attacking play was evident throughout the match.
Recent Performance and Changes
Brazil’s recent performance contrasts sharply with their previous game. Last Friday, September 6th, Brazil secured a 1-0 victory over Ecuador at Couto Pereira. Despite the win, the team’s poor showing against Paraguay has overshadowed that positive result.
The defeat also ended a long-standing unbeaten streak against Paraguay, which dated back to 2008. This loss now puts Brazil in 5th place in the qualifying table, having been surpassed by Ecuador. They currently have 10 points from 24 matches.
In contrast, Paraguay’s win pushed them up to 7th place with 9 points. This result puts them in a strong position for the World Cup play-offs.
Looking Ahead
The next World Cup Qualifiers are scheduled for October 7th to 15th. Brazil will face Chile away on October 10th and then take on Peru at Mané Garrincha on October 15th. Dorival Jr.’s squad will need to address their issues and improve their performance if they want to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
