The Maracanã is buzzing on this Thursday night, September 4, 2025, with the clash between Brazil and Chile in the South American World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The match, part of the 17th round, kicked off at 9:30 PM with Brazil pressing from the opening whistle. In the first six minutes, a goal by Casemiro was disallowed for offside, with VAR stepping in to review, creating tension in the packed stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s team, already qualified for the World Cup, aims to solidify their campaign against a struggling Chile fighting to end their run with dignity. Live broadcasts on TV Globo and SporTV keep the nation glued to the game. The score remains 0-0, but the intensity promises excitement until the end of the first half.
The atmosphere in the Rio stadium is electric, with around 70,000 fans cheering Brazil on. The Seleção, third-placed with 25 points, faces a bottom-ranked Chile with just 10 points. Brazil’s lineup, featuring Alisson in goal, Marquinhos as captain, and young talents like Estêvão, shows balance between defense and attack.
- Early highlights: Brazil started with high pressing, earning a corner in the first minute.
- Controversial moment: Casemiro’s disallowed goal at the 4th minute put VAR in the spotlight.
- Chances created: Gabriel Magalhães and Estêvão tested Chile’s defense, but no breakthrough yet.
Intense opening minutes at Maracanã
The first minutes show a dominant Brazil, with quick plays down the wings. Gabriel Martinelli, right from the first minute, surged down the left and won a corner, igniting the crowd. On the set piece, Gabriel Magalhães headed dangerously, but Chile’s goalkeeper Vigouroux made a crucial save. Carlo Ancelotti’s strategy, as emphasized pre-match, focuses on maintaining the balance seen in recent games against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Estêvão, a young attacking prospect, attempted dribbles on the right wing but was stopped at the 2nd minute. In the next play, at the 3rd minute, he crossed into the box, but Paulo Díaz cleared the danger. Brazil continues to exploit the flanks, with Wesley and Douglas Santos pushing forward. The crowd, vibrant, reacts to every move, especially after Casemiro’s disallowed goal, which sparked protests in the stands.
VAR controversy and disallowed goal
At the 4th minute, the Maracanã erupted as Casemiro headed in a cross from Raphinha, finding the net. The celebration, however, was cut short by an offside call. Venezuelan referee Alexis Herrera called for a VAR review, led by Angel Arteaga. After analysis, the offside was confirmed, upholding the decision. The moment led to complaints from players and fans, who were eager for the opening goal.
VAR has been a recurring theme in the Qualifiers, and this match was no exception. The technology, while precise, brought tension to the stadium, with fans waiting in silence for the verdict. Despite the disallowed goal, Brazil maintained their momentum, pressing to exploit gaps in Chile’s defense, which has held firm so far.
- VAR review: Casemiro’s goal was checked for offside, with the call upheld.
- Crowd reaction: Cheers and protests echoed after the goal was disallowed.
- Sustained pressure: Brazil keeps attacking, with Raphinha and Martinelli wide.
Timeline of key moments
The match began with high intensity, with the opening minutes delivering crucial plays. Below are the main moments up to the 6th minute of the first half:
- 00’ – Kickoff: Referee Alexis Herrera starts the game, and Brazil surges forward.
- 01’ – Corner for Brazil: Martinelli advances on the left and earns a corner after being blocked.
- 01’ – Vigouroux’s save: Gabriel Magalhães heads toward the bottom corner from Raphinha’s corner, but Chile’s goalkeeper makes a great stop.
- 02’ – Estêvão stopped: The young attacker tries to dribble in the box but is dispossessed.
- 04’ – Casemiro’s goal disallowed: Raphinha crosses, Casemiro heads in, but the goal is ruled out for offside after VAR review.
Tactical strategies on display
Brazil lined up in a 4-2-4 formation, prioritizing possession and speed on the wings. Carlo Ancelotti fielded Raphinha and Estêvão wide, with Gabriel Martinelli on the left and João Pedro as the attacking reference. The midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães provides balance, allowing fullbacks Wesley and Douglas Santos to support the attack. Brazil’s strategy is clear: press early and exploit Chile’s defensive errors, as the visitors rely on a 3-4-3 setup, aiming to defend with a three-man backline led by Paulo Díaz.
Chile, under Nicolás Córdova, bets on quick transitions, with Aravena and Brereton Díaz looking for spaces in Brazil’s defense. So far, however, Chile has struggled to break free from Brazil’s early pressure. Vigouroux, their goalkeeper, has already been tested and shown composure, but the defense remains under constant threat.
Marquinhos and Alisson in the spotlight
Marquinhos, Brazil’s captain, reaches a historic milestone in tonight’s match: his 100th game for the Seleção. The PSG defender, a key figure in defense, leads alongside Gabriel Magalhães, who also had a clear chance early on. Alisson, in goal, aims to extend his record as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets for Brazil in the century, a mark that places him alongside legends like Taffarel.
In the pre-match, Wesley highlighted the significance of playing at the Maracanã, where he enjoyed memorable moments with Flamengo. The right-back, starting tonight, vowed to balance defensive duties with attacking contributions, aiming for an assist. The packed stadium, with around 70,000 fans, expects these stars to shine and deliver a positive result.
- Historic Marquinhos: The defender reaches 100 caps for Brazil, joining an elite list.
- Record-breaking Alisson: The goalkeeper looks to keep a clean sheet, bolstering his historic mark.
- Confident Wesley: The right-back aims to make an impact with offensive support.
- Vibrant crowd: Around 70,000 fans create an electric atmosphere at Maracanã.
Expectations for the rest of the match
With only six minutes played, Brazil shows dominance, but the score remains level. Casemiro’s disallowed goal added tension, but Ancelotti’s team remains unfazed and keeps pressing. Chile, meanwhile, tries to organize defensively, banking on counterattacks. The Brazilian crowd, energized, continues to support, while VAR remains a key factor in decisive moments.
The match promises to be competitive, with Brazil aiming to cement their campaign, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The Maracanã, a historic stage, hosts a special night, and the coming minutes will be pivotal in shaping the game’s outcome. Live coverage keeps fans engaged, with Luis Roberto narrating on Globo and Luiz Carlos Jr. on SporTV, alongside real-time updates from ge.
