In a thrilling encounter on Thursday, Brazil secured a 2-1 away victory against Chile in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match, thanks to an 89th-minute goal from substitute Luiz Henrique. This win allowed Brazil, under the guidance of coach Dorival Júnior, to rise to fourth place in the South American qualifying standings, amidst mounting pressure on the coaching staff.
In contrast, Lionel Messi’s Argentina faced a setback, managing only a 1-1 draw against Venezuela. The match at Monumental Stadium in Maturin was delayed for 30 minutes due to heavy rainfall, which affected the playing conditions. Argentina currently leads the 10-team competition with 19 points from nine matches, while Colombia follows with 16 points after their loss to Bolivia. Uruguay sits third with 15 points, poised to potentially increase their tally in an upcoming match against Peru. Brazil has accumulated 13 points so far.
The match in Santiago began dramatically, with Chile’s veteran striker Eduardo Vargas scoring just seconds after kickoff, heading the ball past Brazil’s goalkeeper Ederson. However, Brazil staged a remarkable comeback, with Luiz Henrique’s decisive strike in the dying moments of the game sending several Chilean players to the ground in despair.
Looking ahead, Brazil will face Peru in Brasilia, while Chile prepares to travel to Colombia. Henrique expressed his pride in representing Brazil, stating, “This shirt means a lot to us. We are committed to fighting for our team and our legacy as five-time World Cup champions.”
Dorival Júnior acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the team, emphasizing the need for patience as he integrates new players into the squad. “We will have a very strong team two years from now. But remember, success only comes after hard work,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s match featured a bright start, with defender Nicolás Otamendi scoring in the 13th minute, following a cross from Messi that led to a mistake by Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo. However, Salomón Rondón equalized for Venezuela in the 65th minute with a well-placed header, marking a significant achievement for a team yet to qualify for a World Cup.
Messi, returning to the national team after an ankle injury, noted the adverse impact of the wet pitch on their performance. Venezuelan defender Jon Aramburu echoed this sentiment, stating, “The rain affected the match, but we are here to compete and show our ambition.”
