vs. Location: Estádio Governador Carlos Wilson Campos (Arena Pernambuco), São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco Brazil Roster: GOLEIROS Alisson - Liverpool (ING) Santos - Athletico-PR Weverton - Palmeiras LATERAIS Danilo - Juventus (ITA) Gabriel Menino - Palmeiras Alex Telles - Porto (POR) Renan Lodi - Atlético Madrid (ESP) ZAGUEIROS Thiago Silva - Chelsea (ING) Marquinhos - Paris Saint Germain (FRA) Felipe - Atlético de Madrid (ESP) Rodrigo Caio - Flamengo MEIAS Casemiro - Real Madrid (ESP) Fabinho - Liverpool (ING) Bruno Guimarães - Lyon (FRA) Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa (ING) Philippe Coutinho - Barcelona (ESP) Everton Ribeiro - Flamengo ATACANTES Matheus Cunha - Hertha Berlin (ALE) Rodrygo - Real Madrid (ESP) Neymar - Paris Saint Germain (FRA) Everton - Benfica (POR) Roberto Firmino - Liverpool (ING) Richarlison - Everton (ING) (Underlined names were present in Brazil's 10/10/2017 2018 WCQ Round 18 match) 1,095 days after it last played a World Cup qualifying match, the Brazilian national team returns to the World Cup’s elimination tournament and it does so somewhat where it left off on October 10, 2017 – on home ground. But whereas the 3-0 victory over Chile in Allianz Parque was in Sao Paulo, the first match for Brazil as it attempts to reach a direct spot in Qatar will be in the northeastern city of Recife, where Arena Pernambuco will be the venue for the Brazilian debut. This match, which is Brazil’s first en route to a berth in Qatar 2022, was to have been played on March 26, which would have meant a period of 898 days. But the Covid-19 pandemic, which altered (perhaps permanently) life as all of humanity has known it, canceled and stopped many events in many industries, and sports was no exception. At last, more than 6 months after it was to have happened, the match is scheduled. It is not only the date that changed. The original scheduled would have had Brazil face Bolivia at Recife’s Arena Pernambuco, a stadium in a city known for its consistent support for the National Team. The people of Recife have historically been among the most consistent supporters of the team, and those with long memories will remember that in 1993, Brazil was warmly received by Recife’s fans as it earned a precious 6-0 victory and 3 all-important points in a tumultuous campaign to reach the 1994 World Cup, and against the same opponent: Bolivia. But this has changed, and it is the largest city of Brazil, São Paulo, which will see the kickoff for Brazil in this World Cup qualifying tournament. Brazil finished 2019 under pressure, as it underwent a 5-match winless streak after its home conquest of the Copa América. Those 5 games saw 2 defeats, both by 1-0, to Peru and to Argentina. Brazil did defeat Korea 3-0 in the final 2019 match (and the last match before this WCQ fixture), and Brazil wants to kick off its 2022 campaign with 3 points. The pause between the victory over Korea and the match vs. Bolivia stretches almost a year, which has no recent precedent for Brazil NT managers. Activities in the modern era have involved Copa América, the Confederations Cup (which Brazil participated in several times), friendlies, and of course, WCQ, asides from the World Cup itself. For Brazil to go nearly 11 months between matches has not happened in decades. It’s not only the date and venue which have changed. The roster Tite called up in March has been changed, with Tite replacing some names from March. Then, Flamengo’s Gabigol and Bruno Henrique were capped; they were excluded this time. Éder Militão, Alex Sandro, and Arthur are also out; in are Rodrygo, Gabriel Menino, and Rodrigo Caio. The rest of the team is essentially the same. Gabriel Jesus was capped but released due to injury and replaced by Hertha Berlin’s Matheus Cunha. Cunha is an interesting choice given he was the top scorer for Brazil in this past January’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, with 5 goals in 7 matches. Bolivia, long seen as a “saco de pancadas” (punching bag) in South American competition, is certainly not the toughest opponent Brazil could have had. Brazil defeated Bolivia 5-0 in Natal on October 6, 2016 in WCQ and drew 0-0 in La Paz one year later. Brazil then defeated Bolivia 3-0 in its first match in last year’s Copa América, as Philippe Coutinho and Éverton Cebolinha made sure the crowd at Morumbi went home celebrating a win for the home team. The overall record is lopsidedly in Brazil’s favor, and a focus on WCQ matches alone likewise demonstrates an ample superiority on Brazil’s side: 8 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses – all in Hernando Siles Stadium. Brazil’s fans do remember, however, that Bolivia survived with a 0-0 draw at Estádio Engenhão in 2008 as Dunga’s team struggled to come together en route to a spot in South Africa 2010. But despite that goalless draw, in WCQ, Brazil has 38 goals scored and 12 allowed. Bolivia had a 2019 to forget. After starting the season with a 2-2 draw with Nicaragua, it lost 8 straight matches and won its final 2019 match: 0-1 at Korea Republic 0-1 at Japan 0-2 at France 0-3 at Brazil (Copa América 2019) 1-3 vs. Peru (Copa América 2019) 1-3 vs. Venezuela (Copa América 2019) 0-3 at Ecuador 1-4 at Venezuela 3-1 vs. Haiti Bolivian soccer recently showed promise at the Pré-Olímpico, where Bolivia’s U23 scored 3 goals vs. Brazil’s U23 in a 5-3 win for Brazil. That same Bolivian youth squad beat Uruguay 3-2. Tite’s political capital, earned by winning Brazil’s 9th Copa América, suffered erosion with the five matches he could not lead Brazil to win. The long gap between the victory over Korea and October 2020 has granted Tite time to observe players in Brazil and in Europe, despite the pandemic-imposed curtailment of playing time. This roster shows at least some to renovate the team: Daniel Alves was pivotal in last year’s continental title win, but age is not on his side and he is going to be far from his prime in 2 years from now – yet, is Gabriel Menino ready for this challenge? With the background Brazil has against Bolivia and with home field advantage, nothing less than a victory will be acceptable. A goleada would be nice, but the objective is securing the 3 points, as Brazil will face the tough Peruvians (who defeated Brazil after the Copa América) in Lima. In the 21st Century, Brazil has a 13-1 goal advantage over Bolivia in WCQ: 9/3/2000, Maracanã: 5-0 9/5/2004, Morumbi: 3-1 9/10/2008, Minerão: 0-0 10/6/2016, Arena das Dunas: 5-0 The following were the starting XI for Bolivia in its 3-1 win over Haiti on October 15, 2019: Romel Quiñonez; Oscar Ribera, Adrián Jusino, Guimer Justiniano, José Sagredo; Erwin Saavedra, Leonel Justiniano, Paul Arano, Juan Carlos Arce; Gilbert Álvarez, Carlos Saucedo.
I used older information for this thread - unfortunately. The match is actually in São Paulo at Neo Química Arena, the new name for Corinthians' stadium. As well, Allison has been released from the roster due to injury. Tite has called up Ederson (Manchester City) as a replacement.
If you're in the US, it's on PPV for a sweet sweet price of $29.95. Welcome to the 1990s. I suggest you find an online feed.
AAAAAAA Weverton ADanilo - TS - Marquinhos - Lodi AAAAAAAACasemiro AAADouglas Luiz -- Coutinho AEverton --- Firmino --- Neymar
Intense pressure in first 8 mins. Bolivia basically with the bus parked. Seems like a matter of time. Really no set positions. Neymar, Coutinho, Everton all roaming.
Neymar almost with a golaço on a great over the top pass from Coutinho. BTW, Coutinho's over the top ball once in a while is one of this best qualities.
Firmino with another one. Assist Neymar. Good pass. Bolivia playing higher and leaving plenty of spaces. 3 x 0