Vinícius Fires Brazil to Their 23rd Consecutive World Cup as Ancelotti Registers First Selecao Win

Vinícius Jr’s instinctive close-range finish on 63 minutes was enough to edge Paraguay 1-0 at a packed Neo Química Arena, lifting Brazil to an unassailable 25 points with two matchdays remaining. The result means the five-time champions have now qualified for every World Cup in history—23 in a row—while handing Carlo Ancelotti the ideal present on his home debut, just four days after a cagey goalless draw in Quito.

Brazil’s back-to-back clean sheets mark the first time in this qualifying cycle that the usually attack-minded side has shut out opponents in successive fixtures, reflecting Ancelotti’s early emphasis on defensive structure. Vinícius, who now owns ten goals in 29 caps, combined slickly with Manchester-United-bound Matheus Cunha before sliding the ball beyond Carlos Coronel.

Elsewhere, holders Argentina were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Colombia in Buenos Aires. Luis Díaz dribbled through three defenders to net his 12th international strike—Colombia’s first at the Monumental since 1993—only for Lyon playmaker Thiago Almada to equalise nine minutes from time after Enzo Fernández had seen red. Despite the stalemate, La Albiceleste remain top, while Colombia stay four points clear of seventh-placed Venezuela.

Ecuador clinched the continent’s third automatic ticket after grinding out a gritty 0-0 in Lima despite playing the final quarter-hour with ten men, confirming a second straight World Cup appearance and their fifth overall.

With Uruguay just a point away from safety and three teams jostling for the last direct berth, September’s double-header promises drama. For daily insight, odds, and expert analysis, stay tuned to Betway Arabia Sports News.