Luiz Henrique Stars as Brazil Beat Chile in Final Home Match of 2026 Qualifiers

Brazil wrapped up their home campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a convincing 3-0 win over Chile, extending their unbeaten streak against La Roja to six consecutive matches. With Brazil already confirmed for the finals in North America, the match largely served as a showcase of their dominance, while Chile’s hopes of qualifying had already ended, making the difference in class evident right from the first whistle at Rio’s iconic Maracanã Stadium. From the kickoff, Brazil imposed their style of play, controlling possession and creating several early chances, although the scoreboard remained unchanged for a while. Gabriel Magalhaes saw a header denied by Chile’s goalkeeper, and Casemiro had a goal ruled out for offside, delaying Brazil’s breakthrough despite their clear superiority. Chile gradually settled into the contest, but the attacks from Estevao, Raphinha, and Bruno Guimarães kept them under constant pressure and rarely allowed them to breathe.

Chile did create a moment of hope when Ben Brereton Díaz found space behind Brazil’s defense and beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker, only for Marquinhos to track back and block him. Even so, Brereton’s effort would have been disallowed due to being offside, underscoring Brazil’s dominance and disciplined defensive awareness. Brazil maintained their patience and finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Estevao capitalized on a loose ball that had rebounded off the Chilean goalkeeper’s save from Raphinha’s strike and executed a perfectly timed acrobatic finish into the net. Shortly after, Chile faced a moment of chaos as Guillermo Maripan was initially shown a red card for a foul on Wesley, later downgraded to a yellow. Paulo Diaz also nearly made an impact with a powerful header in the dying moments of the first half, which was expertly saved, keeping Chile in contention but still struggling to match Brazil’s attacking intensity.

The second half saw similar dynamics. Brazil continued probing, testing Chile’s disciplined defense, while the visitors put their bodies on the line to keep the scoreline respectable. Lucas Cepeda fired a shot over the bar, and Gabriel Martinelli’s attempt was kept out, demonstrating that Chile could still generate sporadic threats despite Brazil’s overall control. Brazil, however, required an additional push to make their home qualifier finale truly memorable. That surge came from the substitutes. Luiz Henrique showcased his skill and creativity by weaving into the box and delivering a delicate chipped pass to Lucas Paqueta, who converted with a precise header shortly after entering the game. Just four minutes later, Henrique’s powerful shot rebounded off the crossbar perfectly for Bruno Guimarães to poke it into the net, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing the 3-0 victory. The win also extended Carlo Ancelotti’s unbeaten streak with Brazil to three games without conceding, highlighting both his tactical acumen and the team’s defensive solidity.

Looking ahead, Brazil will aim to defeat Bolivia in their final qualifier to finish as the “best of the rest” behind runaway leaders Argentina, while a draw would still secure them a top-four position. For Chile, avoiding last place requires a win over Uruguay, a task complicated by their ongoing struggles, including a fifth consecutive match without scoring. Overall, Brazil’s performance not only confirmed their dominance in South America but also showcased their depth and readiness for the upcoming World Cup finals, with standout contributions from both starters and substitutes demonstrating their collective strength. The match was a fitting conclusion to Brazil’s home qualifiers, blending flair, discipline, and efficiency in front of their passionate fans.