An underperforming Brazil side will host second-placed Uruguay, and if they manage a win, they could go above their visitors.
Dorival Junior will want big answers from his players ahead of yet another crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier for Brazil against Uruguay. The Selecao have underperformed, and their result against Venezuela proved that as they could only muster a 1-1 draw away from home.
Having taken the lead through in-form Barcelona man Raphinha, Brazil saw their lead cut out following an equaliser from Venezuela just after the second half began. The result pushed them to fourth on the overall table, five points behind leaders Argentina.
Dorival Junior will want to close that gap when they host Uruguay, who are in second spot. A win over the visitors will take the Selecao beyond them in the standings, and heading into this long period without international football, it will be seen as a vital result for them.
Uruguay climbed into the second spot courtesy of an entertaining, last-gasp win over rivals Colombia. La Celeste opened the scoring the last time out, as Juan Fernando Quintero stuck in the 31st minute. Uruguay had to wait a while before setting up the equaliser, courtesy of an own goal from Davinson Sanchez, but it barely took any time to take the lead, as Rodrigo Aguirre’s goal stuck around the hour mark.
At one stage, Uruguay appeared to be cruising towards the three points, only for Andres Gomez to strike in the 96th minute to silence the stadium. However, Uruguay were not done as Manchester United man Manuel Ugarte, assisted by Facundo Pellistri, secured the three points with a late strike in the 101st minute.
The win took Uruguay above their opponents Colombia on the table, as Bielsa will hope to retain the position when they visit Brazil. A win here would take them level on points with Argentina for the time being.
Team News & Tactics
Brazil
Brazil had endured a difficult time with injuries to critical stars before the current international break began, and there were more absentees ahead of the Uruguay clash. Right-back Vanderson will be missing through a suspension, while Guilherme Arana has withdrawn with an ankle problem.
The issues surrounding the injury above have already seen critical stars like Rodrygo Goes, Alisson Becker and Eder Militao missing from action. Meanwhile, Danilo could be in line to replace Anderson, while the rest of the backline is expected to stay the same for the Uruguay clash.
Dorival Junior will have no choice but to start his strongest side ahead of this crucial fixture. Hence, no changes are expected to his midfield setup or the attacking lineup, as Igor Jesus will lead the line for Brazil against Uruguay.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Abner; Gerson, Guimaraes; Savinho, Raphinha, Vinicius; Jesus
Uruguay
Much like Dorival Junior, Marcelo Bielsa will make just one change to his starting lineup against Brazil. Given the win over Colombia and the importance of Manuel Ugarte in that result, the midfielder will return to the starting lineup in place of Rodrigo Bentancur.
Bentancur has been banned for seven matches in the English domestic season, although that will not affect his participation for Uruguay this week or later. Federico Valverde is expected to partner Ugarte in that central midfield zone.
Bielsa will continue with the same back four that continues to miss key star Ronald Araujo. In the attack, Facundo Pellistri and Rodrigo Aguirre will continue to keep their places, as Darwin Nunez will continue leading the line for Bielsa’s side. Maximiliano Araujo will also feature in the attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Nandez; Gimenez, Olivera, Saracchi; Ugarte, Valverde; Pellistri, Aguirre, Maximiliano Araujo; Nunez
Key Stats
- Uruguay have drawn four of their last six games in all competitions.
- Uruguay have won five, drawn four, and lost two of their 11 games in the qualification race.
- Uruguay are only three points behind leaders Argentina in the table.
- Brazil have lost their last two games against Uruguay.
- With a win, Brazil could overtake Uruguay in the standings.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
The in-form Brazilian attacker has been performing both for club and country this season, and Dorival Junior will once again look at the 27-year-old for answers. The Selecao have shown lacklustre form on both ends of the field, and the head coach will want to see a massive improvement in the attacking side of things.
Hence, Raphinha will be critical to their performance in the attacking third, and the Barcelona man will have to come up with the goods once more. The fans in Brazil will be hoping for goals, and plenty of them, and Raphinha will have to put on a show while helping his attacking colleagues as well.
Prediction
Brazil 2-1 Uruguay
Uruguay are no pushovers, as this is a well-drilled unit under Marcelo Bielsa. They have beaten Brazil in their last two meetings and will hope for a third this time around. However, Bielsa’s men will be the ones coming into this one under pressure to retain their current spot and beat Brazil away from home.
Brazil are under even more pressure to perform and get their qualification campaign back on track. The injuries to key stars have not helped, but they still boast some of the top-draw attackers in the game, and these players will be motivated to perform and take three points against Uruguay.
