Estêvão scores as Brazil beat Chile at the Maracanã in qualifiers | OneFootball

Brazil defeated Chile this Thursday, 3-0, at Maracanã, in the penultimate round of the South American Qualifiers for the World Cup, thanks to goals from Estêvão, one of the new additions by coach Carlo Ancelotti to the starting lineup who scored his first goal with the national team, Lucas Paquetá, and Bruno Guimarães.

This Thursday's match may have been the last for the national team playing at home before the World Cup. The CBF is already negotiating some preparatory friendlies for the World Cup, but the tendency is for them to take place outside Brazil.

The victory also moved Brazil to second place in the Qualifiers, surpassing Uruguay. However, there are no mathematical chances of taking the first position from Argentina, as the difference is ten points and only one game remains in the competition.

The national team returns to the field next Tuesday against Bolivia at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) at the altitude of El Alto, for the last round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Brazil dominates in the 1st Half

The Brazilian team started the match with everything and just four minutes in, managed to open the scoring with Casemiro, who headed in Raphinha's cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside by the Manchester United midfielder.

After that, Brazil continued creating opportunities but couldn't efficiently finish until the 37th minute when João Pedro set up Douglas Santos, who assisted Raphinha. The Barcelona player shot at the goal, but Vigoroux made the save. On the rebound, however, Estêvão, inside the small area, managed to complete into the back of the net, opening the scoring at Maracanã.

Before the final whistle, defender Maripán was sent off by the referee, who saw a stomp by the player on Wesley. However, after a VAR review, the red card was annulled and replaced with a yellow card.

Ancelotti's Tests Pay Off

Prioritizing the evaluation of some players in these last rounds of the Qualifiers, since the World Cup spot is secured, coach Carlo Ancelotti made changes to the team in the second half. Luiz Henrique, Lucas Paquetá, Andrey Santos, Kaio Jorge, and Richarlison were brought on and maintained the good rhythm of the first half.

And it was with the modified team that Brazil extended the lead. At 26 minutes, Luiz Henrique made a good individual play, took it to the byline, and crossed to the far post for Lucas Paquetá to head in, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Soon after, the Brazilian team scored the third goal with Bruno Guimarães, who exchanged passes with Luiz Henrique and took advantage of the rebound from the forward's shot, off the post, to complete into the back of the net and seal the victory in Rio de Janeiro.

MATCH DETAILS BRAZIL 3 X 0 CHILE

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro Date: September 4, 2025, Thursday Time: 9:30 PM (Brasília time) Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN) Assistants: Lubin Torrealba (VEN) and Alberto Ponte (VEN) VAR: Ángel Arteaga (VEN)

Goals: Estêvão, at 37 of the 1st Half, Lucas Paquetá, at 26 of the 2nd Half, Bruno Guimarães, at 30 of the 2nd Half (Brazil) Yellow cards: Maripán (Chile); Casemiro (Brazil)

BRAZIL: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, and Douglas Santos; Casemiro (Andrey Santos), Bruno Guimarães, and Raphinha (Richarlison); Martinelli (Lucas Paquetá), Estêvão (Luiz Henrique), and João Pedro (Kaio Jorge). Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

CHILE: Vigoroux; Iván Román, Paulo Díaz, and Maripán; Hormazábal, Vicente Pizarro, Loyola (Echeverría), and Suazo; Cepeda (Assadi), Aravena (Maxi Gutiérrez), and Brereton Díaz (Tapia). Coach: Nicolás Córdova

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