Vinicius' goal secures Brazil 2026 World Cup slot, fans delighted in Ancelotti
Brazil and Ecuador have secured spots at the 2026 World Cup, taking the second and third of South America’s six automatic qualifying berths after the champions, Argentina, booked their ticket in March.
Brazil beat Paraguay 1-0 while Ecuador drew 0-0 in Peru as both teams climbed to 25 points with two matches to play, beyond the reach of Venezuela in seventh place.
Uruguay (24 points), Paraguay (24) and Colombia (22) occupy the remaining three automatic qualification positions before the final two fixtures in September.
Venezuela (18) would earn a playoff spot against a team from another confederation by finishing seventh.
In São Paulo, a goal from the Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior on the stroke of half-time made it a winning home debut for Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti. “It is for you,” Vinícius told Ancelotti, his former Madrid manager, as he celebrated.
"I'm very happy with today's result. We needed to win at home for our fans too and qualify for the World Cup, which was our goal," Vinicius said.
"Now (Ancelotti) will have more time to work, to see what he can improve. Today wasn't one of our best games, but the important thing in qualifying is to win and prepare well for the World Cup."
Brazil extended their record as the only team to play in every edition of the World Cup, with the five-times winners set to make their 23rd appearance in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ecuador qualified for their second straight World Cup by avoiding defeat in Peru. The visitors were penned in their own half for the final 20 minutes after midfielder Alan Franco was shown a second yellow card.
The draw all but ended Peru's hopes of qualifying, leaving them with 12 points, six behind Venezuela.
Earlier on Tuesday, Uruguay took a step closer to securing a spot with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Centenario, a victory which also snapped a four-match winless run in South American qualifiers.
Uruguay dominated much of the first half but struggled to break down a well-organised Venezuelan defence until Rodrigo Aguirre put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute, heading in at the far post from a Maxi Araujo corner.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay's lead just two minutes into the second half, firing a superb shot into the top-left corner to seal a win that secures Marcelo Bielsa's side of at least an inter-confederation playoff berth.
Uruguay need only one point from their final two matches against Peru and Chile to make sure of a place at the finals.
Argentina needed an 81st-minute equaliser from Thiago Almada to cancel out Luis Diaz's goal and secure a draw with Colombia, avoiding a second straight defeat to Nestor Lorenzo's side.
Chile's hopes of reaching the finals ended with a 2-0 loss in Bolivia. Chile coach Ricardo Gareca resigned after the match.
