Chile 1-2 Brazil: Luiz Goals Power Seleção to Victory in World Cup Qualifiers
Brazil bounced back from their opening defeat to Argentina with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chile in Santiago. The victory sees the Seleção climb to second in the South American World Cup Qualifiers table, while Chile remain in the bottom half.
The match was a tense affair from the start, with both teams showing their intent to attack. Brazil's intensity and possession were clearly visible, but Chile remained a threat on the counter.
The opening goal came in the 14th minute when a brilliant pass from Neymar found Lucas Paquetá, who set up a tap-in for defender Éder Militão. Chile were caught off guard and struggled to recover their footing.
However, Chile equalized in the 37th minute through a stunning free-kick from Charles Aránguiz. The strike curled beautifully over the wall and past Alisson, leaving the Brazilian keeper with no chance.
The second half saw Brazil reassert their dominance, with Neymar and Vinicius Junior causing havoc down the flanks. The winning goal arrived in the 72nd minute when a defensive mix-up allowed Casemiro to play in the unmarked Luiz, who slotted the ball past Gabriel Arias for his first goal in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Despite the late pressure from Chile, Brazil held on to secure the vital three points. The victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence heading into their upcoming qualifiers, while Chile will be left to regroup and try to find a way to climb the table.
Key takeaways:
- Neymar continues to be a key player for Brazil, dictating the pace of the game and creating chances.
- Brazil's defense was solid, with Militão and Marquinhos forming a strong partnership.
- Chile showed resilience but ultimately lacked the firepower to get a result.
- The win will be a welcome boost for Brazil as they look to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
This win will be remembered for a long time for Brazilians, with Luiz's goal securing a crucial victory. The Seleção will be hoping to carry this momentum into their next game as they look to build on their successful start to the World Cup qualifiers.
