Brazil Moves Closer To World Cup Qualification With Comfortable Win Over Peru

Brazil demonstrated their footballing capabilities with a convincing 4-0 victory over Peru in the CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A Dominant Start Against Peru

The match kicked off with Brazil exhibiting their typical flair and attacking intent, eager to maintain their incredible record against Peru, having won their last five encounters without conceding a single goal. The first notable moment arrived in the 12th minute when Peru’s Edison Flores appeared to score a stunning opener.

However, the goal was swiftly disallowed for offside, a decision that was met with relief from the Brazilian camp, as Flores was deemed to have strayed beyond the last defender before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ederson.

Raphinha Shines Bright

As the game advanced towards the half-hour mark, Raphinha, who has been in sensational form lately, nearly broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar a warning shot that underlined his increasing influence on the match.

The Barcelona winger, known for his explosive pace and technical skill, would not be denied for long.

In the 38th minute, he was awarded a penalty after a foul by Carlos Zambrano, who had grappled with Igor Jesus and Luis Advincula in the box. Raphinha confidently stepped up to the spot, sending Pedro Gallese, the Peru goalkeeper, the wrong way and giving Brazil a crucial 1-0 lead just before halftime.

Doubling the Advantage

As the second half commenced, Brazil carried their momentum into the game. Raphinha continued to be a thorn in the side of the Peruvian defense, and in the 54th minute, he found the net again, replicating his earlier success from the penalty spot.

After another clumsy foul by Zambrano on Manchester City’s Savinho, Raphinha coolly converted his second penalty of the night, undergoing a minor celebration that echoed his sustained form.

Striking with Style

The floodgates seemed to open after Raphinha’s second goal. Just 17 minutes later, substitute Andreas Pereira dazzled the crowd with a spectacular overhead kick that soared past Gallese, marking arguably one of the highlights of the match. The move, which led to a picture-perfect goal, emphasized Brazil’s attacking depth and inventive play.

But the Brazilian did not stop there. Just three minutes later, Luiz Henrique, another substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring with an unstoppable finish. Peru’s defensive frailties were glaring, and Brazil capitalized relentlessly on the Blanquirroja’s mistakes, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

Brazil’s World Cup Dreams Soar

With this emphatic win, Brazil now sits four points clear of the final automatic qualification spot in the South American qualifying campaign. Their strong performance against Peru leaves them well-positioned as they continue their quest for another World Cup title.

On the flip side, Peru faces an uphill battle as they find themselves at the bottom of the CONMEBOL standings, with only Chile below them. Their hopes of reappearing at the World Cup, after failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament, now hinge on pursuing the seventh-place inter-confederation playoff position a challenging prospect given their current form.