<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/brazil/">Brazil</a>’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been rocky so far, and the absence of&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/neymar/">Neymar</a></strong>, the nation’s record goalscorer, looms large over the Seleção’s underwhelming performances. Coach&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dorival-junior/">Dorival Junior</a></strong>&nbsp;has expressed his unwavering support for the veteran, emphasizing his importance to the national team as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.</p>



<p>Despite Neymar’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/neymar-out-of-brazil-squad-when-will-he-return-with-national-team/">long injury layoff and a recent setback</a>, Dorival is optimistic about the 32-year-old’s return, pointing to March 2025 as a possible target. But Brazil’s current predicament underscores just how much the team is missing its talisman.</p>



<p>The Seleção have endured a disappointing run in the&nbsp;<strong>CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers</strong>, managing just two points from their recent November fixtures. Draws against&nbsp;<strong>Venezuela </strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Uruguay </strong>left Brazil in&nbsp;<strong>fifth place</strong>, seven points adrift of table-toppers Argentina.</p>



<p>Even with a star-studded attack featuring&nbsp;<strong>Vincius</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Raphinha</strong>, Brazil’s offensive output has been underwhelming. Only two goals were scored across their last two matches, one of which came from a set piece rather than open play, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-hilal/">Al-Hilal</a> star’s absence has never been more glaring.</p>



<h2>What did Dorival Junior say about Neymar?</h2>



<p>Speaking after Brazil’s draw with Uruguay, Dorival addressed Neymar’s importance to the team.&nbsp;<em>“I have never hidden my admiration for him. We all know how capable he is,”</em>&nbsp;the manager said.&nbsp;<em>“I would like him to return to the team at a time when the team can support him. I hope that happens again in March, or the following year.”</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241121_WST_540626_Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-1200x675_67db2c1c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-540628" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Will-Neymar-play-for-Brazil-again-Dorival-Junior-discusses-Al-Nassr-stars-prospects-with-Selecao-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Neymar has been out of action for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered an&nbsp;<strong>ACL rupture</strong>. After a year of recovery, he briefly returned to action with&nbsp;<strong>Al-Hilal</strong>&nbsp;in October 2024 but suffered another injury setback just weeks later. Dorival explained the cautious approach to Neymar’s recovery:&nbsp;<em>“We were right not to call him up last time, especially because of what happened later, his injury. We were very cautious and safe because we were monitoring his situation. We took the right approach.”</em></p>



<p>With&nbsp;<strong>79 international goals in 128 appearances</strong>, Neymar’s contributions to Brazil are unmatched. Dorival believes that Neymar’s return will elevate the team’s performance significantly.&nbsp;<em>“I have no doubt that with Neymar, the national team’s performance will be even better,”</em>&nbsp;he stated.</p>



<p>However, the coach stressed the importance of Neymar regaining full fitness before rejoining the squad.&nbsp;<em>“First, we want him to recover his conditions at the club, and then he returns to the national team, because he is essential, yes. I have no doubt that he will continue to grow with the team.”</em></p>



<h2>Can Neymar help Brazil in 2025?</h2>



<p>Brazil faces an uphill battle in the qualifiers, but the expansion of the World Cup to&nbsp;<strong>48 teams</strong>&nbsp;means six automatic CONMEBOL berths are now available. While this gives the Seleção a buffer, their current form raises concerns. Of their 12 matches so far, only five have resulted in victories, with two of those coming against&nbsp;<strong>last-placed Peru</strong>.</p>



<p>Looking ahead, Brazil’s next qualifiers in&nbsp;<strong>March 2025</strong>&nbsp;will be their toughest yet, as they take on&nbsp;<strong>Colombia</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Argentina</strong>. Dorival is counting on Neymar’s potential return to boost their chances.&nbsp;<em>“All we want is for him to be fully fit so that he can do his best,”</em>&nbsp;the coach reiterated.</p>

Will Neymar play for Brazil again? Dorival Junior discusses Al-Hilal star's prospects with Seleção

Will Neymar play for Brazil again? Dorival Junior discusses Al-Hilal star's prospects with Seleção - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Following a year-long absence due to a catastrophic knee injury, Brazilian fans enthusiastically greeted Neymar’s return to the field in October. The star forward, who missed a substantial portion of his club Al-Hilal’s historic treble-winning season as well as Brazil’s 2024 Copa America campaign, is now gradually returning to match fitness. However, despite recent appearances for Al-Hilal, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/al-hilal-to-exclude-neymar-until-january-what-does-future-hold/">Neymar</a> was left out of the national team squad for the November international break. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> coach Dorival Junior recently clarified the decision, emphasizing the superstar’s health and readiness to return as primary considerations.</p>



<p>In November 2023, during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, Neymar suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his knee—a severe injury that led to a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/neymar-makes-long-awaited-return-in-a-fiery-encounter/">long and challenging recovery process</a>. At the time, this raised concerns about his future on the field, given his crucial role in Brazil’s squad and his renowned skill set. Following a year away from the game, Neymar returned to competitive play last month, logging his first minutes back on the pitch with Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League.</p>



<p>While his return is promising, the veteran’s game time has been limited as Al Hilal carefully monitors his recovery. In light of this, speculation emerged regarding Neymar’s potential inclusion in the Brazil squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers, particularly as the forward works to regain his top form and physical conditioning. However, manager Dorival ultimately opted against including the ex-Barcelona ace this month, citing caution and respect for his ongoing recovery process.</p>



<h2>What did Dorival Junior say?</h2>



<p>At a press conference following the announcement of Brazil’s squad, Dorival explained why he and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) decided to hold off on Neymar’s return to international duty. “We decided not to bring him so as not to rush things,” Dorival said. “He’s practically fully recovered, but he’s only had a few minutes [on the field], which weighed heavily on the decision.” For Dorival, Neymar’s return to form and fitness is essential, and he emphasized the importance of allowing the player to progress at a manageable pace to avoid setbacks.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241102_WST_538153_Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-1200x675_10e37e65.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-538150" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Neymar-out-of-Brazil-squad-When-will-he-return-with-national-team-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>According to Dorival, the player expressed a strong desire to join the national team despite his limited playing time. However, both the player and the management team recognized that prioritizing his health and ensuring he has sufficient minutes on the field with Al-Hilal are critical. “He was willing to be here,” Dorival added, “but he also understood the situation, the condition he is in, the lack of minutes on the field (13). We have to respect the club’s process.”</p>



<h2>What is Brazil’s plan for Neymar’s return?</h2>



<p>Al-Hilal’s management, led by coach Jorge Jesus, has a clear plan for Neymar’s return to match fitness, making gradual increases in his minutes played to help him fully recover. This approach aligns with Brazil’s strategy to ensure Neymar’s safe return to international play. Due to this mutual understanding, Dorival anticipates Neymar’s inclusion in the Brazilian squad for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/brazil-monitor-neymar-recovery-international-return-in-2025/">March 2025 international break</a>, which will feature high-stakes qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia.</p>



<p>As Selecao’s staff works closely with the Saudi side, Dorival’s comments highlight a collaborative approach to Neymar’s recovery. With Jesus having coached in Brazil and maintained strong ties to the country’s soccer scene, agreements on managing Neymar’s recovery have been cooperative, enabling the Canarinho’s coaching staff to respect the club’s strategy. This approach gives Neymar the best chance to return to the national team in peak condition by March.</p>



<p>In addition to the 32-year-old, Brazil’s roster for November qualifiers is also missing a few other prominent players, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Real Madrid’s rising star Endrick. According to the CBF, Alisson is currently recovering from an injury, and Endrick’s limited playing time with Real Madrid—just 107 minutes so far this season—likely influenced the decision to omit him from the squad. Real Madrid’s Brazilian trio of Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Vinicius, however, will join the team for the upcoming matches.</p>

Neymar out of Brazil squad: When will he return with national team?

Neymar out of Brazil squad: When will he return with national team? - World Soccer Talk

<p>Brazil finds themselves in a precarious place in CONMEBOL’s 2026 World Cup qualifying table after a shock loss to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/paraguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Paraguay</a>. The South American giants were looking to gain momentum in the standings following a recent win against Ecuador. Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> fell on the road in Paraguay Tuesday night. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Inter Miami</a> midfielder Diego Gómez scored the only goal of the game for the hosts.</p>



<p>Brazil recently thumped their most recent opponents 4-1 back in June during Copa America 2024. Despite the previous demolition, Seleção was left frustrated throughout Tuesday night. In fact, Brazil could not even muster a single shot on target in the first half of the match. While they did rack up significantly more possession, Brazil could not ultimately find a breakthrough on the night.</p>



<p>Following the disappointing result, superstar forward Vinicius Junior apologized to Brazil fans. “I want to apologize to the fans. I know it’s a difficult time, but we just want to improve,” Vinicius <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5dvq5171vo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> Brazilian network Globo.</p>



<h2>New manager has not been able to get Brazil back on track</h2>



<p>Brazil manager Dorival Junior also went as far as to say the team could not recover from the abysmal first half. “From the moment we conceded the goal, we lost our way,” <a href="https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/09/11/brazil-lose-fourth-2026-qualifier-hold-qualification-slot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> the coach. “Everything we had been building up until the end of the first half we left behind and gave up. It was the worst half since we’ve been here, and it contributed to the final result.”</p>



<p>Dorival Junior joined Brazil in January as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> manager Carlo Ancelotti was heavily linked with the job. The veteran was appointed as the national team suffered three consecutive World Cup qualifying losses last fall. So far, results have been shaky at best with Junior at the helm.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240911_WST_528285_Dorival-Paraguay-1200x675_84ba81f6.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-528315" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Dorival-Paraguay-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Dorival-Paraguay-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Dorival-Paraguay-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Dorival-Paraguay-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Dorival-Paraguay.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The Paraguay loss is technically the only defeat for the coach at the role. However, Brazil previously crashed out of the Copa America in the quarterfinal stage after a penalty shootout with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a>. In total, Junior has just four wins in 10 international matches with Brazil.</p>



<h2>Brazil is just one point from missing out on the World Cup</h2>



<p>Brazil’s recent loss to Paraguay drops them to fifth in CONMEBOL’s 2026 World Cup qualifying table. The top six teams in the final confederation standings earn automatic places in the prestigious tournament. The seventh-place team from South America will have to play an inter-confederation playoff to book a place in the competition. </p>



<p>While Brazil remains in a qualifying spot, they are just one point from eighth-placed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/bolivia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Bolivia</a>. Potentially not featuring at the upcoming World Cup would be disastrous and unthinkable for soccer fans in the nation.</p>



<p>Seleção will next resume their qualifying matches in October when they face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/chile-national-team-tv-schedule/">Chile</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/peru-national-team-tv-schedule/">Peru</a>. The two opponents are currently at the bottom of the CONMEBOL table. Brazil should be the heavy favorite in both fixtures but will still have to play up to their potential to earn much-needed victories.</p>



<p>Brazil is the only national team to feature in every single World Cup since the tournament’s creation. The Seleção is also the most successful team in the competition’s history as well. They have collected five World Cup trophies, with the last triumph coming in 2002.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Brazil at risk of missing 2026 World Cup after Paraguay loss

Brazil finds themselves in a precarious place in CONMEBOL's 2026 World Cup qualifying table after a shock loss to Paraguay on Tuesday.

<p>Brazil, under the tutelage of Dorival as head coach, entered the 2024 Copa America as one of the main favorites alongside reigning winners Argentina. As nine-time champions, expectations were high for the Seleção. However, their journey ended in disappointment, exiting in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a>. This performance was a stark contrast to their historical dominance in the tournament; leaving fans and analysts to wonder: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america/when-was-the-last-time-brazil-was-this-poor/">where did it all go wrong</a>?</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a>’s campaign began with a series of underwhelming performances in the group stage. An opening 0-0 draw with Costa Rica set the tone for a lackluster run. Following this, they managed their lone convincing win, a 4-1 triumph against Paraguay, and a 1-1 draw with Colombia in the last match. These results placed them in a less favorable position, forcing them into a challenging quarterfinal against Uruguay instead of a potentially easier match against Panama.</p>



<p>With a player sent off, Uruguay managed to hold the Little Canary to a scoreless draw in their quarterfinal encounter. The game went to penalties, where Brazil lost 4-2. Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz missed their spot-kicks, encapsulating the team’s struggles throughout the tournament. This defeat underscored the need for a more cohesive and effective strategy moving forward.</p>



<h2>What did Dorival Junior say?</h2>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-wait-is-over-brazil-to-announce-new-national-team-coach-20240108-WST-481925.html">Dorival Junior</a>, who took over as head coach in January, faced significant scrutiny. With only eight matches under his belt, he has been tasked with rebuilding the team. His decision to leave out several big names due to form or fitness issues, including Neymar, who missed almost the entire previous season due to injury, drew mixed reactions.</p>



<p>Dorival has now emphasized the need for patience and time to complete the rebuild, pointing to the long-term benefits of such a process. “We have a lot of room to continue growing, evolving, improving and our main objective now is to qualify for the World Cup. Right now we are sixth in the standings, we are not comfortable with that,” <a href="https://www.beinsports.com/en-nz/football/copa-america/articles-video/dorival-junior-urges-patience-with-brazil-rebuild-2024-07-07" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240710_WST_515538_Dorival-Copa-1200x675_18d0564c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515567" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>“I think the Uruguayan national team has a pattern, a very well-defined pattern. They have been working for a long time together. They had some problems at first, they corrected them. Now they are finding great results. I think we will achieve all that as well, not a doubt about it, but we need some time to make such corrections.</p>



<p>“We had some issues at the beginning of the tournament. I think we corrected plenty of mistakes. It is tough given the period of time that we had to work to try to speed up the process. I think we’ll have some more time in the future.”</p>



<h2>Huge pressure on Dorival with Brazil</h2>



<p>The nation’s aspirations were placed on the shoulders of Real Madrid winger <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america/2026-world-cup-woes-vinicius-joins-copa-america-pitch-critics/">Vinicius</a>, who they saw as the inevitable heir to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/neymar-done-for-season-after-requiring-ankle-surgery-20230306-WST-422416.html">Neymar</a>. However, he struggled to make a significant impact in the tournament. This lack of influence from a key player highlighted the broader issues within the team, including a disjointed and inconsistent attack.</p>



<p>Brazil’s storied history in international soccer comes with immense pressure. With five <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> wins under their belts, the country tends to see every setback with alarm. This expectation can create a challenging environment for players and coaches alike. Dorival is acutely aware of this dynamic. He has called for patience and support as he works to guide the team through this transitional period.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Copa América 2024</h3>
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Here are some resources to get you ready for Copa!</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/"><strong>Copa América Schedule:</strong></a> Full schedule of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/">all games</a> for the 2024 tournament</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-pits-usa-against-uruguay-panama-and-bolivia-20231208-WST-475848.html"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We break down <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-pits-usa-against-uruguay-panama-and-bolivia-20231208-WST-475848.html">each Copa América group</a></div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-2024-bracket-free-download-20231208-WST-473617.html"><strong>Tournament Bracket:</strong></a> Track the action with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-2024-bracket-free-download-20231208-WST-473617.html">FREE printable Copa bracket</a></div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-copa-america-on-us-tv/"><strong>How to watch:</strong></a> Information on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-copa-america-on-us-tv/">where to find the games</a> on TV and streaming</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-to-stream-copa-america-2024-20240107-WST-481040.html"><strong>How to Stream</strong></a> Learn how you can <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-to-stream-copa-america-2024-20240107-WST-481040.html">stream Copa games</a> live in 2024</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-dates-20231127-WST-473122.html"><strong>Key Dates:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-dates-20231127-WST-473122.html">All the important dates</a> to mark on your calendar</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2024-copa-america-to-be-hosted-in-united-states-20230127-WST-417271.html"><strong>Copa (United States of) América:</strong></a> South America&apos;s biggest tournament <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2024-copa-america-to-be-hosted-in-united-states-20230127-WST-417271.html">comes back to the USA</a></div>
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Brazil rebuild: Dorival asks for patience after Copa America exit

Brazil, under the tutelage of Dorival as head coach, entered the 2024 Copa America as one of the main favorites alongside Argentina.

<p>Brazil’s shootout loss against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a> was two things — dull and morbid. Without star player Vinicius, out through yellow card suspension, and Neymar, who injured his knee in March, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> looked utterly lost as they battled to an ugly 0-0 draw with Uruguay. </p>



<p>Without the two, Brazil looked predictable and stale. Teenage phenom Endrick was stranded between a physical backline and only completed two passes. The team’s double pivot in Joao Gomes and Bruno Guimaraes looked unconfident when passing the ball forward. </p>



<p>Lucas Paquetá looked like the only creative player on the field, the only one who looked upfield and generated chances. It made for a dull game of Brazil swinging the ball to the wing and crossing it into the box or simply taking long shots from 30 yards out. Brazil was tentative and dull.</p>



<p>And it seemed morbid to watch Uruguay, nearly 30 minutes removed from losing a defender through a red card, confidently stroll past Brazil in penalties. It felt like the risk-taking, samba-style Brazil squad we know was dead. Brazil focused on controlling the ball and drawing chances through set-piece situations, not dribbling and flair. Manuel Ugarte’s confident penalty not only put Uruguay through to the semifinals but shattered Brazil’s identity.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Endrick played the full 90 minutes and completed one pass. Can you guess which one it was?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/URUBRA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#URUBRA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/DHndKjPcCc">pic.twitter.com/DHndKjPcCc</a></p>— Opta Analyst US (@OptaAnalystUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaAnalystUS/status/1809784304198692980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Loss evokes memories of Mineirazo</h2>



<p>There will never be a more brutal loss for Brazil in recent memory than <em>that </em>Saturday in 2014. Brazil’s <a href="https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/07/brazil-1-7-germany-stats-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7-1 loss</a> against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> is one of the most tragic, embarrassing losses in the history of soccer. It was their biggest defeat ever and a national embarrassment. They were fundamentally picked apart in the World Cup semi-finals in front of 58,000 rabid fans. </p>



<p>Although Brazil was missing captain Thiago Silva and star player Neymar, they started the match well with a period of back-and-forth play. However, they lost control after Thomas Muller scored within the first 20 minutes. Brazil failed to control the ball and fell apart under the pressure of their home crowd, conceding four goals within six minutes. Andre Schürlle would later score two second-half goals to make it 7-0.</p>



<p>Oscar finally got a goal for the Selecao after latching on to a long ball at the edge of the box, cutting past Jerome Boateng, and shooting past Manuel Neuer with one of the last kicks of the game. Only seconds after, the referee would blow his full-time whistle, and Brazil would collapse in tears. Brazil’s David Luiz sobbing and wiping his tears after the full-time whistle became emblematic of the match — a sad Brazil left to pick up the pieces of one of their worst moments in their 108-year career.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240709_WST_515293_Brazil-1-1200x675_cec4b1b7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515357" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>On the tenth anniversary of Mineirazo, you can only look back at a shattered legacy. Murky memories emerge when discussing the loss. To some, it’s a blur, with the match happening so fast they couldn’t comprehend it. To others, it was like slow-motion, watching Germany so efficiently and calculated murder Brazil seemed traumatic. But, the one objectively true thing is manager Luis Scolari didn’t set this team up to succeed.</p>



<p>The main cause of this catastrophe is the fact that Brazil, despite all of its technically gifted players, couldn’t keep the ball. Scolari started Fernandinho and Luis Gustavo in the double pivot, while opting to start attacking midfielder Oscar in his absence. Oscar was forced out of position by the strong German defense, leaving the duo to contend with Germany’s elite midfield by themselves. That, and a backline that made uncharacteristic mistakes, led to Germany both controlling possession and easily exploiting the holes in Brazil’s defense.</p>



<h2>Brazil reaches a crossroads with Uruguay loss</h2>



<p>We saw similar tactical errors as Brazil looked outclassed in all phases of the match. </p>



<p>With Vinicius’ suspension, manager Dorival switched starting striker Rodrygo to his preferred spot on the left. He then called up teenage star Endrick from the bench to start as a striker. Endrick, who can play as a secondary striker, an attacking midfielder, and more, played the role of a penalty-box poacher against Brazil, tasked with winning headers over Ronald Araujo and Cristian Romero. </p>



<p>He’s best when dropping deep and linking play, but with the way Dorival used him, Brazil might as well have played with ten men.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240709_WST_515293_Brazil-2-1200x675_1d2c64e7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515359" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Brazil’s backline, although untested under pressure, gave way in transition. They faced lapses of concentration, allowing the Uruguayan players to make especially piercing runs onto long balls. The best chance of the game, Nández’s first-half cross to Darwin Nunez, came partly because Eder Militao lost track of Nunez, who sneakily ran behind him to latch on to the cross.</p>



<p>With a three-man midfield, you ordinarily have a creative player (think Paquetá), an anchor who primarily defends (Casemiro), and a box-to-box midfielder with stamina who can put in a reasonable amount of effort on both ends (Guimaraes). However, it seemed the double pivot of Guimaraes and Gomes sank back into their defensive ways. They rarely got up to join the attack, instead minimizing the risk of a counter-attack.</p>



<p>“The midfield is rubbish, do they even know how to play football? Paquetá knows, but he wants to fight,” World Cup-winning midfielder Gérson said. “João Gomes does not know how to play football and Bruno Guimarães only wants to foul. This is ugly. Everything must change.”</p>



<p>Now out of Copa America, Brazil will set their eyes on World Cup qualifying, with a 23rd-straight berth on the horizon. However, they rest at sixth, just two points from a potential intra-confederation play-off. They will need positive results against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ecuador-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ecuador</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/paraguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Paraguay</a> during the September international window.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

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