At Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, in coach Dorival Junior’s first appearance in competitive matches, the Canariños played their fifth consecutive match without a win in official matches, after the fourth, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, in a match in which they attacked a team. A lot, but almost always bad.
The match was back-and-forth, against Costa Rica, a team that failed to score a shot during the 90 minutes, but Brazil showed that it is still in a crisis, in terms of results and identity.
Despite the poor performance, Brazil had several clear chances to score, a side in which they showed a great lack of inspiration as well as confidence, with credit also given to the defensive scheme set up by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro and, ultimately, to the nets of goalkeeper Patrick Siqueira.
With Porto players Wendel, Pepe and Evanilson sitting on the bench, from which they did not leave, the Brazilians began to take control and created two quick chances, with shots from Rafinha, the former Vitoria and Sporting player, in the seventh minute, and Rodrigo. On the twelfth.
The Canary’s monologue continued, but the danger did not return until the 25th minute, when goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira blocked another shot from Rafinha, which Rodrigo took alone, then followed it in the 26th minute with a header past Paqueta.
Until half-time, Brazil thought they had scored in the 30th minute, but Marquinhos was barely offside, followed by two failed shots from Paqueta and Rodrigo.
At the beginning of the second half, Rodrigo had opportunities again in the 47th and 60th minutes, but he was unable to take advantage of them, and in the 63rd minute the goal came closer with a shot from Paqueta at the left post. .
Shortly afterwards, the substitutions began, with Alvaro releasing, among others, former lion Joel Campbell and Dorival Junior, betting respectively on Savinho, Indrik (in place of the harmless Vinicius Junior) and Martinelli.
It turned out that Canarinhos’ best chance was a header past Haxel Quiros in the 72nd minute, which Siqueira narrowly blocked.
Arana missed in the 79th minute, Rodrigo in the 87th minute, Bruno Guimarães missed a shot that passed near the left post in the 90th + 1 minute, and Paqueta in the 90th + 3 minute, the last of the wonderful opportunities for the Brazilians. “Ticos” fights back until the final whistle.
In the second round, Brazil will face Paraguay, which played its first match in a 2-1 defeat against Colombia, Costa Rica’s next opponent.
PFO //PFO/VQ
Losa/The End
