Brazil were the clear victor of the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. The squad shattered the competition scoring record with 45 points, boosting their confidence ahead of the World Cup, which begins in November.
We’ve broken down the key events from Brazil’s Qualifiers campaign, as well as individual highlights and some predictions for the players who will defend the hopscotch in Qatar. Take a look!
Matches of the Brazilian National Team in the 2022 Qualifiers
Check out the full schedule of Brazil’s games in the South American World Cup Qualifiers for 2022!
- 1st Round: Brazil 5 x 0 Bolivia (09/10/2020 – São Paulo-BRA)
- 2nd Round: Peru 2 x 4 Brazil (10/13/2020, Lima-PER)
- 3rd Round: Brazil 1 x 0 Venezuela (11/13/2020 – São Paulo-BRA)
- 4th Round: Uruguay 0 x 2 Brazil (11/17/2020 – Montevideo-URU)
- 5th Round: Colombia 0 x 0 Brazil (10/10/2021 – Barranquilla-COL)
- 6th Round: Brazil vs Argentina (Canceled Match)
- 7th Round: Brazil 2 x 0 Ecuador (04/06/2021 – Porto Alegre-BRA)
- 8th Round: Paraguay 0 x 2 Brazil (06/08/2021 – Assunção-PAR)
- 9th Round: Chile 0 x 1 Brazil (09/02/2021 – Santiago-CHI)
- 10th Round: Brazil 2 x 0 Peru (09/09/2021 – Recife-BRA)
- 11th Round: Venezuela 1 x 3 Brazil (07/10/2021 – Caracas-VEN)
- 12th Round: Brazil 4 x 1 Uruguay (10/14/2021 – Manaus-BRA)
- 13th Round: Brazil 1 x 0 Colombia (11/11/2021 – São Paulo-BRA)
- 14th Round: Argentina 0 x 0 Brazil (11/16/2021 – San Juan-ARG)
- 15th Round: Ecuador 1 x 1 Brazil (27/01/2022 – Quito-EQU)
- 16th Round: Brazil 4 x 0 Paraguay (02/01/2022 – Belo Horizonte-BRA)
- 17th Round: Brazil 4 x 0 Chile (24/03/2022 – Rio de Janeiro-BRA)
- 18th Round: Bolivia 0 x 4 Brazil (29/03/2022 – La Paz-BOL)
Record points in the Playoffs
In the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, Brazil enjoyed a historic campaign. In 17 rounds, there were 45 points, with 14 victories and three ties. Despite the fact that the classification was announced well in advance, the Seleçao ended six points ahead of Argentina, the runner-up.
In all, 40 goals were scored and just five goals were conceded, resulting in a 35 goal difference. By the way, the Brazilian National Team’s defence is one of the team’s highlights, with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva displaying chemistry and Éder Militao enjoying his time at Real Madrid.
The heaviest thrashing occurred against Bolivia on the first day of the tournament. The 5-0 win at So Paulo’s Neo Química Arena equaled Ecuador 6-1 Colombia for the most tense victory in the campaign.
Sequence of wins in the final stretch
Brazil’s last rounds in the Qualifiers were faultless. Brazil overcame Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia by a score of 4 to 0. The final one occurred in Bolivia’s high altitudes, with a backup squad. Prior to then, Brazil had won seven straight games until a goalless draw with Argentina.
As a result, Brazil are among the favourites to win the World Cup. Tite’s squad is often ranked first by bookies, with France. The lack of difficulties in Europe is a common complaint, but the Brazilian squad have the ability to go far in the competition.
Anvisa classic generates controversy
The fact that Brazil shattered records with one fewer round is the most amazing aspect. Brazil and Argentina on the pitch at Neo Quimica Arena for the sixth round, but Sanitary Surveillance agents entered the field in the first few minutes to alert four Argentine players who had broken the country’s entry criteria. Keep this ambiguity in mind.
The game should be replayed, but Argentina’s appeal, which was decided at the beginning of the month, stops it from happening. The plan was to play in the middle of the year, between two friendly for Brazil. If the game is played, Brazil’s record might be extended to 48 points.
Highlights from Tite’s team
Because the playoffs are such a lengthy tournament, only a few players are able to maintain a strong performance all the way to the finale. Only two players started in the games against Bolivia between the first and 18th rounds, for example: Marquinhos and Neymar.
Only five players remain, including Danilo, Thiago Silva, and Casemiro, if Tite’s basic squad is taken into consideration – several others were spared. These players, along with goalkeeper Alisson, are returning to Qatar after competing in the previous World Cup.
Aside from them, other sportsmen had their passports stamped. This is the case with Fred, Lucas Paquetá, and Vinicius Junior, who should be holders, as well as Richarlison, Ederson, and Alex Sandro, who are all vying for a position in the squad.
Finally, there were individuals who stood out in the closing stretch and came close to persuading Tite to change his mind. Along with Antony, Raphinha of Leeds United is a strong contender to start in the World Cup. Philippe Coutinho, who was a standout in 2018, but had a hard patch in Europe, is another player worth discussing. In the final rounds, the player was called up and played well.
Few vacancies for the Cup
FIFA must reduce the number of players selected for the World Cup in Qatar by 26 sportsmen. Three additional positions will provide the Brazilian squad more options in midfield and attack. Approximately 20 names are now in contention for the Cup.
Three reserves are Tite’s key concerns: left-back, defender, and striker. In the defence, Lucas Verssimo would be the obvious choice, but he was gravely wounded and had stiff competition from Felipe and Gabriel Magalhães. Renan Lodi lost ground on Guilherme Arana and Alex Telles on the wing.
Finally, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Barbosa are among the names vying for a position in the attack, alongside Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino, who are now struggling. With the three additional call-ups, one of these players might be selected to represent Brazil in the World Cup.
