The recent match against Uruguay left more questions than answers about the tactical performance of the team under Dorival Júnior.
The Brazilian National Team’s Last Game of the Year
Part of the 12th round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers – South America, against Uruguay, raised more doubts than certainties regarding the tactical performance of the team led by Dorival Júnior.
In Terms of Standings
Brazil finished the last FIFA international break of 2024 in fifth place, securing direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While this position might not reflect the tradition of Brazilian football, it accurately mirrors the current state of the team.
Technical and Tactical Quality of South American Teams
Given the technical and tactical quality of South American teams, it’s likely that Brazil will maintain or even improve this ranking. However, the frequent fluctuations in performance do not provide assurance when facing highly skilled opponents, like European national teams.
The Tactical Development of the Seleção Canarinho
Could be more advanced. I do not discredit the work being done by Dorival Júnior, but I believe there won’t be enough time to prepare a balanced and productive team. The concept of the game, which seeks to emphasize the team’s verticality, is interesting, but the defensive security, which was a strength of the team under the previous management, is gradually being lost.
Factors Hampering the Current Performance
Several factors are hampering the current performance of the Brazilian National Team. Theoretically, the regularly called-up squad is qualified and includes the best individual talents. However, the natural ease with which these athletes play at their clubs is not being replicated in the national team. Moreover, Dorival’s game reading has been misguided at times, particularly when making substitutions.
Responsibility for the Team’s Unstable State
Thus, the responsibility for the team’s unstable state cannot be solely attributed to the coaching staff or the players. It’s a mix of structural failures that need to be acknowledged internally. Therefore, I disagree with Barcelona forward Raphinha’s statement praising the performance of the Brazilian team after their 1-1 draw against Uruguay.
In This Match
In this match, Dorival opted to increase the number of forwards, which compromised the team’s creativity. Forwards Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as midfielder Bruno Guimarães, showed performances below their usual club standards. In an attempt to secure a victory, the forwards were deployed in positions different from what they are accustomed to, while Bruno Guimarães is not in good technical form.
The impression that remains is that the Brazilian team struggles to maintain planned movements for an extended period and easily disorganizes. This scenario prevents the emergence of consistent performances.
