Shamans tried but failed to stop Brazil from winning in Peru

With a little bit of local shamans ‘magic’, and with a little bit of good defensive tactics of coach Juan Reynos, the Peruvians almost made a serious surprise in the World Cup qualifiers in 2026. Brazil struggled in Lima for 90 minutes; they did not manage to get a fluid game and goals, so the result came in late, in the last moments of the game - 0:1. The hero is PSG’s Marquinhos, who used his head after a good pass from Neymar to hit the net of Pedro Galles. The experienced defender caught the ball with a lot of feeling, it was clear that he was aiming for the other corner, and there was no saving for the quite good keeper of the home team's net.

Until that moment, the Peruvians defended themselves quite organized. Their concentration fell at the worst moment when there was no more time to make up. Several times, even before that 90 minutes, Neymar tried to ‘find’ Marquinhos from a corner, so it was obvious that this goal was a consequence of coordinated action, but the home players failed to recognize it in time and prevent it in the very finish. If they did, it would be the second point in these qualifiers for Peru and the first time that this selection managed to resist Brazil in an official match after more than seven years. This way, the Brazilians are looking forward to their eighth consecutive victory over Peru and their fourth without conceding a goal. And what is even more important for them is that they go back to first place, ahead of Argentina, because they have a better goal difference.

The Brazilians were better during most of the game; they attacked more and more dangerously, but it is clear that the five-time world champions no longer have their former power or lethality. There is a lack of serious attacking potential - not to mention class in the attack - and creativity in the midfield. And it seems that Neymar is also in decline. Or at least far from the former form. However, it should be mentioned that the guests had two goals disallowed during the first half. Both are justified due to offside. All in all, Fernando Diniz has a maximum performance on the Brazilian bench and will surely lead the Brazilians to the World Cup, where Carlo Ancelotti will lead them. The Italian is expected to take over the team as soon as his contract with Real expires next summer.