Brazil secured their place at the 2026 World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay, giving new head coach Carlo Ancelotti his first victory in charge. The result ensured Brazil’s unbroken record of qualifying for every edition of the tournament and offered a sense of relief following a cagey 0-0 debut draw against Ecuador.
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The decisive goal came in the second half, courtesy of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr., who pounced on a precise assist from Matheus Cunha—soon to join Manchester United. Despite a performance that Vinicius admitted was far from Brazil’s best, the win was enough to seal qualification and allow Ancelotti breathing room as he begins to shape the team.
“Now the coach will have more time to work,” said Vinicius. “Of course today wasn’t our best, but qualifying was the priority.” The match was tightly contested, reflecting the high-stakes atmosphere of South American qualifiers, where even regional giants can’t afford complacency.
Elsewhere, Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia in a dramatic clash in Buenos Aires. Luis Díaz gave Colombia the lead with a dazzling solo effort, cutting through multiple defenders before finishing clinically. The match shifted when Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was sent off for a reckless challenge, leaving the hosts with ten men for the final stretch.
Despite the setback, Lionel Messi’s side clawed back a point with a late goal from Lyon midfielder Thiago Almada. The draw leaves Colombia sitting comfortably above the qualification cutoff, while Argentina, already well-positioned, avoided a damaging defeat despite the red card.
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Meanwhile, Ecuador became the third South American side to confirm their place in next summer’s tournament in North America, following a goalless draw against Peru. The result was enough to mathematically secure their qualification, underscoring a solid campaign built on defensive discipline.
With several rounds of qualifying still to play, attention now turns to the final race for South America’s remaining World Cup spots. While Brazil and Ecuador can plan ahead, teams like Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela remain locked in a competitive battle that could go down to the wire.
