It was two players from Botafogo who saved Brazil from a bad start on Thursday evening during the 9th day of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup: traveling to Chile, the Auriverdes, led from the start by a headed goal by Eduardo Vargas (0-1, 2nd), turned the tide thanks to Igor Jesus, also with a header (1-1, 45th+1) then Luiz Henrique with a nice curling shot (2-1, 88th ). A hard-fought result against an opponent who was in great difficulty as winner of only one of their nine qualifying matches, which allows Dorival’s men to breathe, having lost 4 of their last 5 matches.
With 13 points in 9 days, they occupy 4th place, still under threat from the pursuers since Paraguay, 8th, is only three points behind, but remains in the right car. Note that, as for the Ligue 1 players, the Parisian Marquinhos started in the center of defense and the Lyonnais Abner on the left side, both putting in solid performances.
Argentina suffered, Colombia beaten
For the return of Lionel Messi to the selection, he who had missed the last matches due to injury, Argentina had to settle for a draw on the Venezuelan pitch (1-1). If the captain opened the scoring to Nicolas Otamendi (1-0, 13th), the Venezuelans pushed and ended up equalizing via a header from Salomon Rondon (1-1, 65th).
Not imperial, the Argentinians still maintain the lead and even widen the gap on their Colombian runner-up, beaten by the Bolivians (0-1) with ten men from the 21st minute but still difficult to play at altitude (the Estadio Municipal of El Alto where the match was played is located at an altitude of 4086 m), the last match having seen Ecuador and Paraguay separate in a poorly paid draw for the locals who largely dominated (0-0).
Brazil Snatches Victory from Jaws of Defeat: A Tale of Botafogo Heroes
In a stunning turn of events, Brazil managed to salvage a win against Chile on the 9th day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, thanks to the heroics of two players from Botafogo. As I delved into the details of this match, I couldn’t help but notice the significance of this victory and the players who made it possible.
The match, which was part of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, saw Brazil struggling to find their footing early on. However, just when it seemed like the Selecao was heading for a disastrous start, two players from Botafogo stepped up to save the day. According to reports, Luiz Henrique scored a last-gasp goal to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Chile, lifting them to fourth in the standings [[1]].
This win is a significant morale booster for Brazil as they navigate the challenging landscape of the South American qualifiers. With 48 teams set to participate in the 2026 World Cup, the competition is expected to be fierce, and every victory counts. As I explored the official FIFA website, I found that the tournament schedule has been announced, with 104 games set to take place across Canada, Mexico, and the USA [[2]].
The victory against Chile is also a testament to the strength and depth of the Brazilian squad. With six players from Brasileirao-based teams called up, including a potential debutant in Botafogo’s Igor Jesus, the Selecao is clearly looking to tap into the talent pool of its domestic league [[3]].
As a football enthusiast and analyst, I believe that this win is a significant turning point for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. With the team’s morale boosted and the players gaining confidence, the Selecao is well-positioned to make a strong run in the tournament.
the heroics of the two players from Botafogo have given Brazil a much-needed win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. As the team looks to build on this momentum, fans can expect exciting matches ahead. With the tournament schedule announced and the team’s strength and depth on full display, Brazil is certainly one to watch in the 2026 World Cup.
