ASUNCION, Paraguay: Brazil lost for the fourth time in five World Cup qualifiers after Diego Gomez’s goal gave Paraguay a 1-0 win in Asuncion.
Five-time world champions Brazil, who beat Ecuador 1-0 last Friday, are now fifth in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on 10 points, ahead of Venezuela on goal difference.
Only the top six teams will qualify for the World Cup held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the seventh-placed team having to go through another qualifying round.
Dorival Jr, who took over the Brazil squad from Tite after the team was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, saw his side overcome by Gomez’s 20th-minute goal.
“The coach is still looking for the best way for us to play and it is evident in the results of the matches.
“A lot of new players, we’re not confident enough. It’s not easy to qualify, it’s a difficult period and we have to know how to deal with it.
“Now the phase of change, we are not confident enough. We have to work hard, getting results on the field is the best answer,” said Brazilian defender Marquinhos.
Brazil will continue their qualifying campaign next month against Chile and Peru.