Brazil will hope to build upon their late win against Chile when they face Peru on Tuesday night
Brazil is set to host Peru in a crucial CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying fixture in Brasilia. Both teams head into this match after positive results in their previous games, with Brazil securing a last-minute win over Chile and Peru finally recording their first victory in this qualifying campaign. While Brazil aim to solidify their position in the automatic qualifying spots, Peru looks to build momentum and climb up the standings after a tough start to the campaign.
The Selecao into this match with some of the pressure on manager Dorival Junior slightly eased, thanks to their 2-1 victory over Chile last week. The win was a crucial one, especially considering that Brazil has been experiencing uncharacteristically mixed form in recent months, leading to questions over Dorival’s future with the national team.
The Selecao fell behind early against Chile, but in-form Botafogo players made the difference, with Igor Jesus netting the equaliser before Luiz Henrique scored the decisive goal in the dying minutes of the match.
That win ensured that the Samba stars remain in an automatic qualifying position, although they are only two points above the cut-off. Despite Brazil’s incredible record of never missing a World Cup, they have won just three of their last 10 competitive matches—an unusual dip in form that has fueled speculation about Dorival’s job security.
Now, they face a Peru side they have beaten five times in a row, including in major tournaments like the Copa America. Even so, Brazil must approach this game cautiously, as Peru will be buoyed by their recent win, and Brazil’s recent form has shown vulnerabilities.
After a challenging start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, Peru finally earned their first win last week, beating Uruguay 2-1. That result lifted them off the bottom of the standings and gave them hope of mounting a challenge for qualification. La Blanquirroja had endured a miserable run of form, going winless in eight qualifiers and crashing out of the Copa America group stages over the summer.
The win over Uruguay was their first competitive victory in two years, a result that moved them up to six points, though they still sit five points behind the playoff places. Coach Jorge Fossati’s side will need to show consistency if they want to make a push for the World Cup. But their task will not be easy—especially on the road, where they have struggled mightily in recent years.
Peru’s biggest concern remains their lack of offensive firepower, with only three goals scored in qualifying so far. They will need to find a way to break through Brazil’s defence, which, despite some recent shaky performances, remains one of the strongest in South America.
Brazil holds a dominant record against Peru in recent years. The Selecao have won five consecutive matches against La Blanquirroja, with their most recent encounter ending in a comfortable 4-0 victory during the 2021 Copa America.
Peru’s last victory over Brazil came in a 2019 friendly match, but historically, they have struggled to compete with Brazil, especially away from home. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Brazil
Brazil will be without Lucas Paqueta for their upcoming match due to suspension after the midfielder picked up a booking against Chile. In his absence, Bruno Guimaraes is expected to step into the starting XI, having only appeared as a substitute in the previous match.
Key injuries continue to affect the squad as well, with Vinicius Junior sidelined and goalkeeper Alisson Becker ruled out, likely until November. As a result, Ederson Moraes is set to retain his spot in goal.
For this match, Brazil are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ederson will start between the posts, while Danilo and Abner will take up the full-back positions on the right and left, respectively. The centre-back pairing will consist of Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes.
In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes and Andre Trindade will anchor the centre, offering balance and control. Further up the field, Raphinha will occupy the right wing, while Luiz Henrique, who scored the winner in Santiago, will be in the centre. Igor Jesus, who made a goalscoring debut, is expected to continue on the left flank behind Rodrygo, who will lead the attack as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Abner; Bruno Guimaraes, Andre; Raphinha, Luiz Henrique, Igor Jesus; Rodrygo
Peru
Peru will head into this match without several key players, but they still managed to secure a crucial win last Friday. Defenders Miguel Araujo, who scored his first goal for the national team, and Carlos Zambrano will likely retain their spots in the starting XI.
However, the visitors will be missing influential midfielders Renato Tapia and Yoshimar Yotun due to injuries, while striker Gianluca Lapadula also had to withdraw from the squad because of a late injury setback. Additionally, Miguel Trauco and Anderson Santamaria are also sidelined due to their respective injuries.
For this match, Peru is expected to field a 5-3-2 formation. Pedro Gallese will start in goal, with a five-man defence consisting of Aldo Corzo at right wing-back and Alexander Callens at left wing-back. The center-back trio will feature Miguel Trauco, Carlos Zambrano, and Luis Abram. This back five will aim to provide defensive stability against Brazil’s potent attack.
In midfield, Oliver Sonne, Jesus Castillo, and Sergio Pena will form a compact trio, tasked with disrupting Brazil’s build-up play and supporting the attack when possible. Up front, Alex Valera and Edison Flores will lead the line, offering pace and energy as they try to make the most of their counter-attacking opportunities.
Probable Lineup (5-3-2): Gallesse; Polo, Araujo, Zambrano, Abram, Callens; Sonne, Castillo, Pena; Valera, Flores
Key Stats
- Brazil have won each of their last five meetings against Peru across all competitions, scoring a total of 14 goals and conceding just two in those encounters.
- Brazil have not lost a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on home soil in over 20 years. Their last home defeat in qualifiers came in 2001 against Paraguay.
- Peru have won only one of their last 10 away matches in World Cup qualifiers. They have also failed to score in six of their last eight away qualifiers.
- Peru have struggled offensively throughout the current World Cup qualification campaign, managing to score only three goals in their matches so far, making them one of the lowest-scoring teams in CONMEBOL.
- Brazil have scored at least two goals in each of their last four home World Cup qualifiers.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
Raphinha will be a key player for Brazil in their clash against Peru. The Barcelona winger has been in fine form for both club and country, and his ability to create chances and provide crucial assists makes him a dangerous asset on the flank.
Known for his speed, dribbling, and creativity, Raphinha can break down tight defences, especially against a team like Peru that is likely to set up defensively. With his eye for goal and pinpoint crossing, he will be instrumental in Brazil’s attack as they aim to secure another victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Keep an eye on Raphinha’s link-up play with Brazil’s forward line, as his presence could be decisive in the final third.
Prediction
Brazil 2-0 Peru
Given Brazil’s strong track record against Peru and the importance of maintaining their position in the automatic qualifying spots, the Selecao should be considered heavy favourites to take all three points at home. With the momentum from their late win against Chile and the pressure easing slightly on coach Dorival Junior, Brazil will aim to dominate Peru, who have struggled offensively and away from home.
