The interim coach of the Brazilian men's national soccer team played down the team's setback that resulted in a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night (12), in the third round of South American Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The result dropped Brazil down to second place in the Qualifiers, something that hadn't happened for 29 rounds. The team has accumulated seven points, with two wins (Bolivia and Peru) and a draw. Argentina are top of the table with nine points after three consecutive wins, the last of which came against Ecuador 1-0, also on Thursday (12).
"I don't think the team played badly. We created chances to score the second, third and fourth goals. And we didn't manage it. And we gave away counter-attacks that we shouldn't have. In the Venezuela goal, in particular, we failed to do what we shouldn't have done. We could have adjusted our marking and not given the player the chance to finish. I don't think the team had a bad game," said the coach at a press conference after the match at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá.
The last time Brazil didn't lead the Qualifiers was during former coach Dunga's second spell in charge, from July 2014 to June 2016. At the end of that period, the team was sixth in the table, outside the qualifying zone for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Dunga was sacked and replaced by coach Tite. Brazil won four in a row, regained the lead and kept it until last night.
The competition for a place in the next World Cup is very different from seven years ago. With the increase in the number of teams taking part in the tournament - there will be 48 - the total number of direct places has increased from four to six, as well as the possibility of an additional place in the play-offs. In addition to Brazil, nine other countries are seeking qualification in the Qualifiers: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The team's next match is on Tuesday (17) against Uruguay in Montevideo. The match, valid for the fourth round - a total of 18 rounds, with first and second legs - is scheduled for 9pm (Brasilia time) at the Centenario stadium. If they win, Brazil can return to the top of the table, provided Argentina don't beat Peru on the same matchday.
"We can't make predictions. We have to be prepared for all possibilities. There's a tendency for Uruguay, because of the style of play their coach likes to impose, to be more aggressive and press higher up the pitch. Try to propose the game. It's just a prediction, but we don't know what's going to happen in the game," said the coach, who took over the national team on an interim basis in July until the arrival of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract with Real Madrid expires in July 2024.
