I am so pleased for Bruno Guimaraes.
The Newcastle United star is heading to the 2026 World Cup finals.
Tuesday night in Sao Paolo saw Brazil dominate and even though just the one goal, it was enough for them to qualify with two games still to play.
The same old failings were there up front, Brazil dominating the game but lacking the quality and killer instinct in attack only 21 goals in their 16 group matches.
That 21st goal coming just before half time, Matheus Cunha with the assist and Vinicius Junior with the all important strike.
Bruno Guimaraes was excellent, playing the full match and picking up a yellow card as well, as the Newcastle United midfielder was rated Brazil’s best player.
Brazil player ratings via FotMob:
Position / Player
GK: Alisson 7.1
RB: Vanderson 8
CB: Marquinhos 7.4
CB: Alexsandro 7.3
LB: Alex Sandro 6.7
DM: Bruno Guimaraes 8.2
DM: Casemiro 7.4
RW: Raphinha 7.7
AM: Matheus Cunha 7.7
LW: Gabriel Martinelli 7.2
ST: Vinícius Júnior 7.5
This is how the South American World Cup qualifying group looks on Wednesday morning:
South American world cup 2026 qualifying group
With two group matches remaining, Brazil have now qualified with Argentina and Ecuador.
Great to see as well that Miguel Almiron and Paraguay, despite last night’s defeat to Brazil, have effectively surely also qualified along with Uruguay. The top six automatically qualify and they are six points clear of seventh. Very likely Colombia will join them as automatic qualifiers, leaving it between Bolivia and Venezuela for seventh, which gets you into a play-off for next year’s finals.
This is the June 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Thursday 5 June
Ecuador 0 Brazil 0
Bruno Guimaraes was one of Brazil’s better players in this dour World Cup group qualifier, Ancelotti’s first game in charge. In the Goal ratings only Marquinhos (8/10) getting a higher rating than Bruno Guimaraes (7/10). A match of minimal chances at either end and when Vinicius Junior set up the best opportunity of the game for Casemiro, it was a feeble effort from the Man U player. A win would have seen Brazil pretty much sure of qualifying but a point means a little more work to do to make sure.
Friday 6 June
Norway 3 Italy 0
Sandro Tonali and his teammates had a night to forget in this World Cup group qualifier. Three goals down by the break, the home side cruised to this big victory. Only the group winners automatically qualify and Italy already under pressure, as Norway have nine points from the first three of the eight group games they each have to play.
Saturday 7 June
Andorra 0 England 1
A woeful match as England struggled to a 1-0 win in this World Cup group qualifier against woeful opposition, Harty Kane scoring from a few yards out. Dan Burn played the whole game and had minimal defending to do, Andorra with no shots on target and not a single corner, the Newcastle defender with the most passes of any player on the pitch and when giving it to midfielders and attacking players, very rarely they were willing to take any attacking responsibility and just gave the ball back to Burn, sideways and backwards. Anthony Gordon came on in the 81st minute and looked sharp, willing to run at the opposition.
Dan Burn England Andorra
Greece 4 Slovakia 1
A tale of two Newcastle United goalkeepers and neither of them happy after this match. Martin Dubravka playing the full match and conceding four goals despite the Greek players only having three efforts on target, all three of those ending in goals plus an own goal in added time. Whilst Odysseas Vlachodimos watched this friendly from the bench. He had been the established number one for Greece when arriving at Newcastle United last summer but has paid the price for not playing any first team football at club level, no longer number one for his national side.
Monday 9 June
Italy 2 Moldova 0
A much needed victory for Sandro Tonali and his international teammates in this World Cup group qualifier. A goal either side of half-time proving enough in a very open match. The Newcastle midfielder played the full match and was one of Italy’s best performers, Raspadori pipping him for the man of the match accolade.
Sandro Tonali Italy Moldova
Tuesday 10 June
England 1 Senegal 3
A shot from Anthony Gordon was parried by the keeper and Kane scored with the rebound after only seven minutes. However, Senegal had started the better team and were far more dangerous throughout the game. The visitors deservedly equalising thanks to terrible defending by Walker, then Lewis-Skelly badly out of position on the second, the whole defence opening up for the third in added time. Dan Burn watching on from the bench as this defensive shambles unfolded. Though the truth is the problems for England start from the very top of the pitch, as Harry Kane won’t/can’t even run around, the whole team then unbalanced and in truth, so many over-hyped players who simply aren’t good enough.
Brazil 1 Paraguay 0
Bruno Guimaraes man of the match as Brazil have now qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals with two group games to spare. Brazil dominating the game but as usual struggling for quality and goals up front. Vinicius Junior with the crucial strike just before half-time. Great to see Miguel Almiron almost there as well, despite losing against his old NUFC teammate, Paraguay are almost qualified as well, they are six points clear with two rounds of matches to go and only need one more point to get over the line.