BRASILIA – Brazil enjoyed a thumping 4-0 win over Peru in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Oct 15 to build on the momentum from last week’s come-from-behind win in Chile, but coach Dorival Jr said his side remain very much a work in progress.
Attacker Raphinha converted a penalty in each half to guide an improved Brazil to a home win at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia, before substitutes Andreas Pereira and Luiz Henrique also netted in the last 20 minutes.
The result sees the five-time World Cup winners sit fourth in South American qualifying with 16 points from 10 matches. The top six qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Dorival’s side have been under pressure after failing to impress at the Copa America, suffering a second straight quarter-final exit from a major tournament, after losing to Croatia on penalties at the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Before the win over Chile, Brazil had lost four of five qualifiers and Dorival said there was still a lot of work to do.
“We have to realise that this is a group in the making and that it needs adjustments,” he said. “The team will still fluctuate. We’ll have better matches than this. But because of the attitude we had, we didn’t give our opponents a chance.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who was making just his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa in July, scored his 10th international hat-trick as Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0 on Oct 15. It took his tally to 112 goals for his country.
Lionel Scaloni has been witness to many of Messi’s magical moments over the course of his career but the Argentina manager said that even at the age of 37 his captain continues to amaze him.
The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said after the game he would keep playing as long as he can perform the way he wants and Scaloni hoped he would be on the pitch for years to come.
“It never ceases to amaze,” Scaloni told reporters. “At one point I sit down with (assistant coach) Pablo Aimar and tell him that this is wonderful.
“To be able to be on the bench and see the things he does? The team is with him and what I ask him to do is to play as long as he can.”
Messi added: “Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”
Argentina’s other goals at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires came via Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Thiago Almada.
Argentina are top of the 10-team table with 22 points from ten games – three points clear of second-place Colombia, who crushed Chile 4-0. Third-placed Uruguay and fifth-placed Ecuador played out a goal-less draw. REUTERS, AFP
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Publish date : 2024-10-15 22:28:00
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