Paraguayvs.Brazil

The Selecao are sitting in fourth spot with 10 points to their name, while the hosts are four points further back in seventh position.

Match preview

Paraguay have entered the current international period with a new manager after Daniel Garnero was dismissed following a disappointing 2024 Copa America campaign.

La Albirroja fell to defeats against Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica as they suffered their first group-stage exit since 2016.

After beating Paraguay at the Copa America, Gustavo Alfaro left his role as Costa Rica boss to become the new head coach of La Albirroja.

Alfaro began his tenure with a goalless draw in Friday's away clash with Uruguay, with the result taking their total tally to six points, leaving them in the inter-confederation playoff spot and two points adrift of the automatic qualifying places.

Having won just one of their seven 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Paraguay know they will have their work cut out to beat Brazil in regulation time since recording a 2-0 home victory in June 2008.

The hosts have experienced mixed results in their three home games in the current qualifying cycle, having drawn with Peru, beaten Bolivia and lost to Colombia.

Brazil may have beaten Paraguay at the 2024 Copa America, but that ultimately proved to be their only win in a disappointing tournament.

The Selecao drew their other two group games and lost on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-final, resulting in their worst Copa America performance since suffering a group-stage exit in 2016.

Dorival Junior's side returned to competitive action in Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, with Rodrygo's first-half effort proving enough to fire his country to a narrow 1-0 victory, ending Brazil's four-game winless run in qualifying.

After experiencing success in his first World Cup qualifier, Dorival has now overseen four wins and five draws since taking over the reins at the beginning of this year.

Brazil will fancy their chances of claiming a second straight win in Tuesday's contest, having won four of their last five meetings with Paraguay in regulation time, including a dominant 4-1 win in the 2024 Copa America group stage.

The Selecao can also take confidence from the fact they have won their last three World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay without conceding - a run of results which includes a 2-0 away win in June 2021.

Paraguay World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

L

L

W

D

L

D

Paraguay form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

L

D

Brazil World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

W

D

L

L

L

W

Brazil form (all competitions):

D

D

W

D

L

W

Team News

Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez will serve a one-match suspension after receiving his second yellow card for qualifying in the goalless draw against Uruguay.

The experienced Fabian Balbuena is poised to replace Gomez and operate in central defence alongside Getafe defender Omar Alderete.

Midfielder Mathias Villasanti is pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to play over half hour in Friday's outings.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao, who sustained an injury in the lead-up to the win over Ecuador.

Girona's Yan Couto, Manchester City's Savinho and Flamengo's Pedro have all been forced to pull out of the squad due to their respective injury issues.

Dorival could be tempted to select the same side that started against Ecuador which would see Luiz Henrique make a second straight start.

The Botafogo attacker is set to operate in attack alongside the Real Madrid duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, but their club teammate Endrick may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Paraguay possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Villasanti, Bobadilla; Almiron, Enciso, Pitta

Brazil possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Henrique, Vinicius, Rodrygo

We say: Paraguay 0-2 Brazil

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