In a tense World Cup qualifying clash on Thursday, Brazil secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Chile with an 89th-minute goal that lifted them to fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings. Despite a lackluster performance overall, Brazil managed to scrape three valuable points, leapfrogging both Ecuador and Bolivia in the process, as head coach Dorival Junior breathed a sigh of relief.
Early Shock for Brazil
The match, held at the iconic Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, started with a bang for the home side. Chile, eager to take advantage of Brazil’s shaky form in recent matches, came out of the gates firing. Their aggression paid off almost immediately, with a stunning header from veteran forward Eduardo Vargas giving them the lead just two minutes in. The goal was a spectacular looping effort that sailed over Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson and into the back of the net, sending the Chilean fans into a frenzy.
Brazil, meanwhile, appeared sluggish and out of sync from the start. The absence of star player Vinicius Junior, who was unavailable due to injury, was glaringly evident. Without their key playmaker, Brazil struggled to establish control in the early stages of the match, with their midfield looking disjointed and their attack lacking fluidity.
Igor Jesus Levels Before Half-Time
As the first half wore on, Brazil slowly began to find their rhythm, though they continued to lack the sharpness and intensity that fans have come to expect from the five-time World Cup champions. However, just before the half-time whistle, Brazil finally broke through Chile’s defensive lines. A pinpoint cross from Manchester City winger Savinho found the head of striker Igor Jesus, who expertly directed the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1.
The equalizer came as a huge relief for Brazil, who had struggled to create clear-cut chances up until that point. Savinho’s assist was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise uninspired first half for the Selecao, and the young winger showed flashes of brilliance with his dribbling and creativity on the right flank.
Dorival Junior’s Midfield Struggles
Brazil’s head coach, Dorival Junior, has faced increasing pressure in recent weeks, and this match did little to ease the concerns surrounding his leadership. His decision to start with a midfield pairing of Lucas Paquetá and André backfired spectacularly, as the duo struggled to maintain possession and were unable to link play effectively between defense and attack. Paquetá, normally a more advanced playmaker, looked uncomfortable in a deeper role, while André failed to impose himself in the center of the park.
Recognizing the midfield’s struggles, Dorival made two key substitutions at half-time, bringing on Bruno Guimarães and Gerson to replace Paquetá and André. While Guimarães added a sense of calm and composure to Brazil’s play, the overall performance remained unconvincing.
Luiz Henrique’s Late Heroics
As the second half progressed, both teams had their moments, but clear scoring opportunities were few and far between. Brazil continued to look disjointed in attack, with Rodrygo, who was deployed as a central striker, failing to make a significant impact. The Brazilian winger, more accustomed to playing out wide, struggled to find space and was largely neutralized by Chile’s defense.
With time running out and the match seemingly headed for a draw, Dorival Junior turned to his bench once again, bringing on Luiz Henrique in the 68th minute. The Botafogo winger, who had been one of Brazil’s most in-form players at club level, made an immediate impact.
In the 89th minute, Luiz Henrique found himself in space on the edge of the box after a quick passing sequence from Brazil’s midfield. With defenders closing in, he unleashed a low-driven shot that snuck past Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and nestled into the bottom-left corner of the net. The goal sent the Brazilian bench into wild celebrations, as they had managed to snatch a late victory from what had been a frustrating and underwhelming performance.
Defensive Resilience and Standout Performances
While Brazil’s attacking play left much to be desired, their defense, led by Gabriel Magalhães, put in a solid shift to keep Chile’s attacks at bay after the early goal. The Arsenal center-back was a commanding presence throughout the match, showcasing his ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions. Alongside him, Marquinhos provided his usual reliability, helping to ensure that Brazil did not concede a second goal.
Ederson, the Manchester City goalkeeper, also had a relatively quiet night after being beaten by Vargas’ early header. He remained composed and made a few routine saves, but was largely untroubled as Chile failed to capitalize on their early momentum.
Abner, a relatively unfamiliar name in the Selecao backline, also performed admirably. The left-back didn’t stand out in attack but was solid defensively, ensuring that Chile’s wide players found little joy on his flank.
Dorival Junior’s Future in Question
Despite securing all three points, the pressure on Dorival Junior is unlikely to subside anytime soon. His tactical decisions, particularly in the first half, were widely criticized, and Brazil’s overall performance was far from convincing. The team’s struggles in midfield, combined with their lack of attacking cohesion, have raised concerns about the direction of the national team under his leadership.
Dorival’s insistence on playing Rodrygo in a central striker role has been questioned, especially with talented forwards like Endrick and Gabriel Martinelli available. Rodrygo, who thrives as a winger for Real Madrid, has often looked out of place when asked to lead the line for Brazil, and his struggles in this match were a continuation of that trend.
Furthermore, the late introduction of Endrick, one of Brazil’s most promising young talents, left many fans frustrated. The 17-year-old forward, who has been in excellent form for Palmeiras, was brought on in the 78th minute, far too late to make a meaningful impact on the game. Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli, who has been a standout performer for Arsenal, was given just five minutes to make his mark.
Key Player Ratings
Gabriel (8/10): The standout performer in Brazil’s defense, Gabriel was a rock at the back, making crucial tackles and playing with composure under pressure.
Savinho (7/10): Provided the assist for Brazil’s equalizer and showed flashes of brilliance with his dribbling and creativity on the right wing.
Igor Jesus (8/10): Scored a well-taken header to bring Brazil level and made intelligent runs throughout the match.
Luiz Henrique (8/10): Came off the bench to score the winning goal with a well-placed shot in the 89th minute.
Lucas Paquetá (4/10): Struggled in an unfamiliar deep-lying midfield role and was substituted at half-time.
Dorival Junior (3/10): A tactical disasterclass from the Brazilian head coach, whose decision to deploy an ineffective midfield pairing nearly cost his team the game.
Conclusion
Though Brazil escaped Santiago with a victory, it was anything but a convincing display. Dorival Junior will need to address the glaring issues in his team’s performance, particularly in midfield, if Brazil is to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. For now, the three points provide some relief, but questions about the team’s direction remain unanswered.
