Brazil Faces Tough Challenges Ahead of Colombia Match: Missing Key Players and Recent Defeats

The Brazilian National Team Prepares for Crucial Match Against Colombia

The recent defeat of Argentina against Uruguay has provided a much-needed boost for Brazil. After suffering two consecutive losses that have dampened their spirits and pushed them down the rankings in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, Brazil is now determined to turn things around.

As Brazil prepares to face Argentina, coach Fernando Diniz will have to make two changes to the team that lost to Colombia. However, the reality is that Brazil will have to deal with the absence of five key players against Argentina. Ederson, Danilo, Casemiro, and Neymar were not included in the list of those summoned by Diniz, and Vinicius Junior joined the list after the last game in Barranquilla.

Despite the setbacks, Diniz, who also manages Fluminense, the recent winner of the Copa Libertadores, plans to stick with the tactical system of four forwards. However, there will be at least two changes in the lineup compared to the match against Colombia. It is worth noting that Brazil has not won in their last three games, having lost at home to Venezuela and drawn in the previous match.

Looking ahead to the match at the Maracaná stadium on Wednesday, Charles Augustus, the left back from Internacional, known for his defensive skills, is expected to replace Renan Lodi. As for the injured Vinicius, who suffered a tear in the biceps femoris with involvement of the distal tendon of the left leg, Gabriel Jesus, who is recovering from a muscle problem, will take his place.

Gabriel Jesus, the 26-year-old forward from São Paulo, who has accumulated 63 appearances for the national team with 19 goals, will be a key player in the match. He scored a goal against Argentina in the 2-0 victory in the semifinals of the Copa América Brazil 2019. Jesus, who plays for Arsenal in England, has fully recovered from a muscle injury that has kept him out of action since October 24.

The probable starting eleven for Brazil against Argentina will be: Alisson, Emerson Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Carlos Augusto; André, Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Martinelli.

Argentina currently leads the South American Qualifiers with 12 points, having won four matches and suffered one defeat. Brazil, on the other hand, is in fifth place with seven points. Uruguay, Colombia, and Venezuela are positioned between the two teams with 10, 9, and 8 points respectively.