Brazil clinched their second consecutive victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Peru in Lima. Marquinhos, the Paris St Germain defender, emerged as the hero for Brazil as he scored a crucial goal in the 90th minute.
This victory has propelled Brazil to the top of the South American qualifying standings, sharing the lead with arch-rivals Argentina, both accumulating six points from their initial two matches.
Interim coach Fernando Diniz’s squad displayed an impressive performance throughout the match, dominating ball possession and creating numerous attacking opportunities. However, they had to overcome a couple of offside decisions, with Raphinha and Richarlison both having their goals disallowed in the first half.
Diniz expressed his satisfaction with his team’s overall performance, stating, “I’m pleased with what we’ve shown in both games. Today’s game was a different atmosphere. The team had to score three goals to make one count. It’s always important to win, and I think we won with a lot of credit. I really enjoyed it.”
As the match seemed destined for a goalless draw, Marquinhos rose to the occasion, heading home a corner delivered by Neymar, effectively securing the vital three points for Brazil.
Diniz emphasized the significance of set pieces in the game, saying, “We practiced set pieces both in Belem and here. Set pieces define the game, and today it did.”
With the qualifying campaign continuing, Brazil will look to maintain their winning streak as they prepare to host Venezuela and visit Uruguay in the coming month. This victory has set a positive tone for Brazil’s World Cup aspirations.