By Emeka Blast 
Brazil Shine as Estevão Scores Spectacular Bicycle Kick in World Cup Victory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Teenage sensation Estevão Willian set the Maracanã ablaze with a stunning bicycle kick, scoring his first senior goal for Brazil in a commanding 3-0 victory over Chile in their penultimate 2026 World Cup qualifier on September 4, 2025. The Chelsea starlet’s acrobatic opener, followed by goals from Lucas Paquetá and Bruno Guimarães, propelled Brazil to second place in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, cementing their dominance under coach Carlo Ancelotti, per Reuters and Goal.com.
In front of 57,326 fans at Rio’s iconic Maracanã, 18-year-old Estevão, recently signed by Chelsea from Palmeiras, etched his name into Brazilian football history with a 38th-minute bicycle kick. The goal came after Chile’s goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux parried a shot from Raphinha, only for Estevão to react swiftly, executing a spectacular overhead kick between two defenders to break the deadlock, per FotMob and OneFootball. The strike, described as “a moment of magic” by Goal.com, made him the youngest Brazilian to score a competitive goal since Pelé in 1958, at just 18 years and four months, per Sports Mole.
The Maracanã erupted, with Estevão earning the loudest cheers of the night, per Goal.com. “It’s a dream come true to score at the Maracanã,” he told reporters post-match, per FotMob. His performance in Ancelotti’s aggressive 4-2-4 formation showcased his versatility, blending playmaking flair with clinical finishing, as noted by Sports Mole.
Brazil’s victory was a masterclass in attacking prowess, with 22 shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.95, per MyKhel. Lucas Paquetá, returning after a year-long absence, headed in a Luiz Henrique cross in the 72nd minute, just 40 seconds after coming off the bench, while Guimarães tapped in a rebound to seal the rout, per Rio Times Online. Chile, languishing at the bottom of the qualifying table, managed just three shots with a paltry 0.03 xG, failing to test Brazil’s goalkeeper for the first time in a competitive match since October 2012, per FotMob.
A controversial moment saw Chile’s Guillermo Maripán escape a red card after a VAR review downgraded his foul on Wesley to a yellow, per MyKhel. Despite early chances, including a disallowed header by Casemiro, Brazil’s relentless pressure overwhelmed their opponents, marking Ancelotti’s first Maracanã match as a triumph, per OneFootball.
The football world buzzed with excitement over Estevão’s heroics. On X, @FIFAWorldCup tweeted, “🇧🇷 Estevão’s bicycle kick lights up the Maracanã! A star is born! #WorldCup2026,” while @BrazilStat posted, “Estevão matches Pelé’s record as Brazil’s youngest competitive scorer since 1958! 🚲⚽ #Seleção.” Fans hailed his potential, with @NaijaFootballFan writing, “Estevão’s goal was pure class! Chelsea’s got a gem! 💎 #BrazilvsChile.”
Analysts praised Brazil’s blend of youth and experience, with Sports Mole noting Luiz Henrique’s electric substitute performance, assisting both second-half goals. However, concerns arose over Joao Pedro’s lackluster display as a makeshift number nine, with Ancelotti still weighing options for the 2026 World Cup, per Sports Mole.
With this win, Brazil sits second in the CONMEBOL standings with 28 points, 10 behind leaders Argentina, and needs only to avoid defeat against Bolivia to secure runner-up status, per Rio Times Online. Already qualified as co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Brazil’s focus now shifts to fine-tuning their squad, with Estevão emerging as a cornerstone for the future, per 101GreatGoals. As Ancelotti’s side prepares for their final qualifier, the teenager’s bicycle kick has not only ignited Brazil’s campaign but also signaled the arrival of a new global star.
