South America’s four World Cup-bound squads — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador — all played friendlies on Monday as they prepare for Qatar.
Brazil and Uruguay earned respective wins over teams that will also be at the World Cup (5-1 over Tunisia and 2-0 over Canada) while Ecuador played a scoreless draw with Qatar-bound Japan. Argentina, meanwhile, had a convincing 3-0 win over Jamaica.
Taking into account their performances, we answer a key question for each CONMEBOL side as their preparation for the game’s biggest stage continues.
Can things be going too well for Brazil?
Tunisia had not conceded a goal in seven games — and then they came up against Brazil in Paris. Up by four by halftime thanks to Raphinha (two goals), Richarlison, and Neymar, the Brazilians finished with an emphatic 5-1 win following Pedro‘s superb shot in the 74th minute.
Everything is going right for Brazil. Every tactical formation used by coach Tite — he now has used three different setups — seems to work. Every player he brings in seems to hit the ground running. Shots hit the post and go in, attackers are played narrowly onside. And after his penalty conversion against Tunisia, Neymar is just two goals shy of matching Pele’s mark of 77.
Since losing in the final of the Copa America in the middle of last year, Brazil have won 12, drawn three and lost none, with 38 scored and just five conceded. It is a fabulous record, achieved with a style that justifiably makes them favourites to bring the trophy home from Qatar. But World Cups are not won with a succession of romps. Even the 1970 side had to overcome some problems along the way, especially against England and Uruguay. The 2002 team were fortunate not to be beaten by Belgium.
Truly victorious teams have to play their way through the toughest challenges — something that Brazil have not had to do over the past year. They are clearly much improved since losing to Argentina in the final of the 2021 Copa America, with a far greater range of attacking options. But it is worth remembering how they lost that game — going behind after a defensive error and then making it harder for themselves to get back in the game as a consequence of foolishly becoming involved in spats and rows when they should have been keeping the ball rolling. The side would seem to have greatness in its grasp. Whether potential becomes reality might depend on the emotional control of the team when the going gets tough.
