In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Brazil secured their victory against Ecuador (1-0) thanks to a decisive goal from Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. This victory allows the Seleção to start this campaign with confidence, and Rodrygo’s performance particularly caught the eye. Despite his surprising absence from the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, the Madrid forward responded in the best possible way on the pitch, scoring the goal that sealed his team’s victory.
This match also saw two Paris Saint-Germain teammates face off: Marquinhos et Willian Pachoa solid pillar of the Ecuadorian defense. Both defenders played the entire match, showing their worth and contributing to the defensive solidity of their respective teams. While Brazil was able to hold their own, Ecuador put up a strong resistance, but ultimately gave in to the offensive power of the Seleção.
Another PSG player, the young Lucas Beraldoa promising defender, was on the bench for Brazil for this match. However, he did not have the opportunity to set foot on the pitch, as the Brazilian coach chose not to bring him into the game. Nevertheless, Beraldo continues to progress and could be given other opportunities in the upcoming qualifying matches. With this victory, Brazil has perfectly started its qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, while Ecuador will have to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
