For Bruno Guimaraes a step too far over 13,000 feet above sea level in El Alto | OneFootball

Bruno Guimaraes is now on his way back to Tyneside.

The Newcastle United captain facing a race against time to be ready for the Wolves match on Saturday.

The early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time) had seen Bruno Guimaraes and his Brazil teammates find it a step too far in their final South American World Cup qualifying campaign, playing their 18th and final group match.

This final game away to Bolivia, played at the Estadio Municipal El Alto which is 13,412 feet above sea level.

Bruno Guimaraes had been the undisputed man of the match on Friday as Brazil won 3-0 against Chile in their 17th group game. Bruno scoring as well, as that put Brazil into runners-up spot behind Argentina in the 10 team group, with one game left to play.

In the early hours this morning, Bruno Guimaraes no better or worse than the rest, as Brazil lost 1-0.

Headlines have presented this result as a massive shock but in reality it was no surprise, a team playing in front of their fans with everything to play for, against one that had nothing apart from pride and that runners-up spot, Brazil having qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals some time ago.

Bolivia had to win to stand a chance of getting seventh place, which gives a place in the Inter-confederation play-offs, six countries fighting for two spaces at the finals. They also needed Venezuela to lose.

Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon scored one of their three goals at home in their final group match but opponents Colombia scored six!

Bolivia needed only one goal and got it on the stroke of half-time. VAR sending the referee to the monitor and Bruno Guimaraes penalised for a penalty, seeming to stop himself (see below) but then apparently a reflex action as his leg moved and appeared to make clear contact. The penalty converted.

The Newcastle United captain played the full game and was booked on 80 minutes. His frustration getting the better of him on a night when the opponents wanted it more than Bruno’s teammates.

The penalty incident is at 7.41 if you want to go straight to that in these highlights…

This the final South American qualifying table as Brazil and five others automatically qualify including Miggy Almiron and Paraguay.

Joelinton wasn’t playing, or amongst the subs, so whilst I didn’t see anything reported, my assumption is that he hasn’t made the trip. Joelinton missed the Leeds match due to injury but Eddie Howe said that he hopes to have him back for Wolves on Saturday 13 October. So it looks like he has been left back in Newcastle to make sure he is ok for that game, plus Brazil had already qualified for the World Cup finals next summer.

This was the September 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel 4 Italy 5

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually! Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1, then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute, only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

Kosovo 2 Sweden 0

A disastrous result that surely all but ends Sweden’s chance of finishing top of the group and qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup. With four rounds of matches left, Switzerland are five points clear of Sweden and Fabian Schar’s countrymen look nailed on to take that automatic qualification place. Kosovo went 2-0 up inside 42 minutes and Anthony Elanga not able to make enough difference. He gave it everything but was eventually replaced by a clearly far from match fit Alexander Isak on 72 minutes, Tomasson having said previously that lack of football and group training at club level in recent months meaning he couldn’t play the striker. A desperate move with 18 minutes to go to throw an ineffective and unfit Isak on anyway. Emil Krafth also coming off the bench in that second-half, picking up a yellow card, as did Alexander Isak.

Greece 0 Denmark 3

Will Osula watched on from the bench as this superb win puts Denmark in a great position to qualify for the World Cup finals next summer.

Kazakhstan Under 21s 0 England Under 21s 2

Lewis Miley helping the young three lions to a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan U 21s. First half goals from Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund ensuring the victory. The Newcastle United 19 year old midfielder eventually subbed on 76 minutes as England Under 21s coasted to the win.

Tuesday 9 September

DR Congo 2 Senegal 3

A nightmare blow for Yoane Wissa and DR Congo.

The Newcastle striker putting his side 2-0 up in this vital World Cup group qualifier, only for Senegal to come back and win 3-2 with an 87th minute winner. With two rounds of group games to go, that late goal means DR Congo have gone from favourites to win the group and go to the 2026 World Cup finals, to now needing Senegal to mess up in their last two matches.

Serbia 0 England 5

Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento both excellent in this World Cup group qualifier. Livarmento playing the entire match, whilst Gordon was subbed off with the game won at 3-0 and twenty minutes to go. Dan Burn sitting this one out after playing in the win over Andorra.