Vinicius Jr Propels Brazil to World Cup Qualification
Sometimes one goal is enough to change the whole mood of a country. That was the case on June 10, 2025, when Vinicius Jr slid in the only goal of the match to hand Brazil a place at the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid star struck at the perfect moment—just before halftime—latching onto a sharp Matheus Cunha cross to put Brazil ahead of Paraguay at the packed Maracanã. The air was thick with relief; this wasn’t just three points, it was a ticket punched to the sport’s biggest stage. And it came during Carlo Ancelotti’s much-anticipated home debut as Brazil’s head coach—an event that had plenty riding on it after a dull, scoreless draw with Ecuador days earlier.
Ancelotti, a man usually known for his calm, didn’t hide his nerves ahead of this one. Critics had started to question his cautious style, especially after a flat showing in Quito. The changes were obvious. Ancelotti dropped a holding midfielder and gave Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli a more advanced role, hoping his energy would push Brazil forward. Raphinha, fresh from Barcelona, came back into the attack to give more width and speed, answering fans who had called for more boldness and invention.
Ancelotti’s Strategy Starts to Take Shape
Early chances didn’t exactly soothe Brazilian nerves. Vinicius Jr himself missed a wide-open net just minutes into the game, sparking groans from the stands. But the pressure didn’t let up. Brazil spent long spells camped in Paraguay’s half, moving the ball quickly and looking far less static than in previous matches. Martinelli buzzed around the midfield, breaking up attacks and driving forward. Raphinha, playing with something to prove, forced several impressive stops from Paraguay’s keeper in the second half.
In the middle, Bruno Guimarães offered a balance between grit and composure, quietly dictating tempo as the side built attack after attack. The breakthrough seemed inevitable. When it finally came, the timing was almost cinematic.
- Vinicius Jr makes up for his early miss with a smart finish from Cunha's cross.
- Martinelli’s energy gives Brazil much-needed thrust in midfield.
- Paraguay’s defense struggles under constant Brazilian pressure, rarely threatening Alisson’s goal.
Elsewhere on the continent, Uruguay’s win against Venezuela cemented Brazil’s early ticket to the World Cup, turning the final whistle at Maracanã into a celebration. Fans, once anxious, sang and cheered late into the night. Even Ancelotti, usually poker-faced, cracked a genuine smile as he spoke with reporters post-match. For him, there’s still a long road to prepare this team for the world’s biggest tournament. But for now, with twelve months to fine-tune tactics and test new faces, Brazil can breathe a little easier—and look ahead with hope.
Vinicius Jr, speaking after the game, couldn’t hide his pride. He praised the team’s spirit and paid tribute to Ancelotti’s willingness to listen to criticism and adapt. The focus now shifts to the months ahead—fine-tuning strategies, building confidence, and dealing with the sky-high expectations that always follow the Selecao.
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