Maurício becomes Palmeiras' third World Cup scorer this century, look back | OneFootball

Even with Paraguay’s 4–1 defeat to the United States in the Guaraní national team’s debut at the 2026 World Cup, midfielder Maurício made his mark and entered Palmeiras history.

Wearing Verdão’s number 18 shirt, he scored Paraguay’s only goal of the match by finding the net in the 73rd minute, becoming just the third Palmeiras player to score a goal in a World Cup in the 21st century.

Before him, Chilean Jorge Valdivia had scored for Chile at the 2014 World Cup. The “Magician” netted one of the goals in Chile’s 3–1 win over Australia in the teams’ Group B opener at the tournament held in Brazil.

Right-back Arce had already written his name in history in 2002. Also representing Paraguay, the former Palmeiras player scored from a free kick in the 2–2 draw against South Africa in Busan, South Korea. The goal was crucial in helping Paraguay secure an important point in that World Cup’s group stage.

Now, 24 years after Arce’s feat and 12 years after Valdivia’s goal, Maurício joins the select group of Palmeiras players who have managed to find the net in a World Cup edition, reinforcing the club’s tradition of producing and relying on standout players on the international stage as well.

Palmeiras represented in the Paraguay national team

Center-back Gustavo Gómez, midfielder Maurício, and forward Ramón Sosa are the Palmeiras players representing Paraguay at the World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There will be 48 national teams and 104 matches. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.

The third-place match, meanwhile, will be held one day before the final, on July 18, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.