By Emeka Blast 
Heroic Vinicius Jr. Sends Brazil to 2026 World Cup
Vinícius Júnior’s dramatic stoppage-time goal secured Brazil’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they edged out Paraguay 1-0 in São Paulo. The match, held on June 10, 2025, marked a significant milestone for new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, delivering his first victory in charge of the national team .
The decisive moment came in the 44th minute when Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a pass from Matheus Cunha to score the only goal of the match. Despite the narrow victory, the result was sufficient to secure Brazil’s place in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Brazil’s qualification was confirmed with two matches remaining in the South American qualifiers.
However, the victory was marred by an injury concern for Vinícius Júnior, who left the field in the 78th minute due to muscular discomfort. While the severity of the injury is yet to be determined, it raised concerns for both the player and his club, Real Madrid, who are preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup .
This win not only secured Brazil’s spot in the World Cup but also provided a much-needed boost under Ancelotti’s leadership, signaling a promising start to their preparations for the tournament.
