A goal by Vinicius Júnior secured Brazil a spot in the 2026 World Cup, fairly a momentous home debut for Carlo Ancelotti as head coach.
The as soon as prolific duo at Real Madrid helped Brazil to a 1-0 win over Paraguay at Sao Paulo. Ecuador secured its place at subsequent yr’s international event later Tuesday (June 10, 2025) with a 0-0 draw at Peru.
Defending champion Argentina, held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia, had already certified and is assured of ending atop South American qualifying.
Ecuador and Brazil every have 25 factors in the standings, however the Ecuadorians are in second spot primarily based on victories. The two nations are 10 factors behind Argentina however, crucially, greater than six factors away from the seventh-place workforce with two video games remaining in the qualifying marketing campaign.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti after the sport towards Paraguay in Sao Paulo
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The prime six groups in South America earn direct entries to the 48-team World Cup.
Chile misses out once more
Chile will miss a 3rd consecutive World Cup after shedding 2-0 at Bolivia to stay final in 10-nation round-robin competitors, a consequence that price head coach Ricardo Gareca his job.
Uruguay beat Venezuela at home 2-0, with targets from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and edged nearer to one of many direct spots with 24 factors.
Venezuela, with 18, is one forward of Bolivia in the competition for seventh place that grants an intercontinental playoff berth.
Argentina attracts with Colombia
Lionel Messi had a quiet night time in Argentina’s draw with Colombia in Buenos Aires. Luis Díaz opened the scoring for the guests in the twenty fourth minute. Enzo Fernandez was despatched off in the seventieth minute to the frustration of greater than 80,000 fans on the Monumental de Nunez Stadium.
But Julián Alvarez scored the equalizer in the 81st with a low crossed shot.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, dribbles the ball adopted by Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma throughout a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
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AP
Ancelotti acquired some frustration from fans after Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador, as his workforce centered on defending the complete match. The Italian coach, who turned 66 Tuesday, promised adjustments to make his workforce extra aggressive on the NeoQuimica Arena.
He was welcomed by 46,000 fans, together with NBA star Gianni Antetokounmpo, who displayed a tifo in yellow and inexperienced that learn “Parabens, Carleto” (Happy birthday, Carleto in Portuguese).
Gabriel Martinelli changed midfielder Gerson and was top-of-the-line gamers of the encounter. Raphinha returned after suspension and created many issues for Paraguay’s protection. And Vinicius Júnior was usually seen as a targetman, sharing the duties with Matheus Cunha.
A mistake by Paraguay’s protection, a low cross by Cunha and a mild contact by Brazil’s new No. 10 produced the one goal of the match. “It is for you,” the striker informed the coach as he celebrated.
Despite the low rating, the hosts have been far more aggressive than in most of its video games in this World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
“We needed to win here for our people. Now we have more time to work, see what we can improve,” Vinicius mentioned after the match. He gained’t play Brazil’s subsequent sport in qualifying towards Chile due to suspension. “We need to celebrate this. After September, it is all about the World Cup.”
Ancelotti will get heat welcome
After the ultimate whistle, a clip of Ancelotti’s first days on the job was proven in huge screens across the stadium. A raucous celebration erupted once more, as if the Italian coach had introduced new life to a workforce that solely three months in the past appeared misplaced and doomed.
He mentioned the workforce was balanced regardless of having 4 strikers. He additionally mentioned that Cunha’s position, as a playmaker, is the one he figures will probably be Neymar’s if the veteran totally recovers his health.
“It’s no problem to play with three or four up front. We need 10 players to run, to sacrifice,” Ancelotti mentioned. “Rodrygo did this many times, I know him well. And Neymar will also do it.”
Chile’s golden era gained two Copa America titles — in 2015 and ’16 — however is out of competition for subsequent yr’s expanded 48-team event.
“Sad, I am feeling bad. Never lived something like this. We have to ask people to forgive us,” veteran Chile striker Alexis Sánchez mentioned. “We have to keep working. There’s change already, the golden generation is buried, I am the only one left.”
Bolivia scored first by way of Miguel Terceros in the fifth minute and added a second in the ninetieth with Enzo Monteiro on the 4,150-meter excessive El Alto Stadium, exterior La Paz.
Gareca, the 67-year-old Argentinian coach who took Peru to the 2018 World Cup, informed a post-game information convention he was leaving the workforce after a 17-match stretch that included 4 wins, 4 attracts and 9 losses.
The South American qualifying event will end in September. Uruguay and Paraguay every want one level to safe their direct spots. The Uruguayans will face Peru and Chile. The Paraguayans will tackle Ecuador and Peru.
Colombia, in sixth place with 22 factors, will play for its World Cup future towards Bolivia and Venezuela. Bolivia will search its first probability to play on the World Cup since 1994 towards the Colombians after which Brazil. Venezuela’s rivals will probably be Argentina and Colombia.
Published – June 11, 2025 12:01 pm IST
