Brazil travel to Lima on Tuesday to take on a World Cup qualifier as they look to build on their big win against Bolivia on Friday. Meanwhile, hosts Peru will be hoping for a surprise result and a win, despite drawing their opening match against Paraguay.
With CONMEBOL having secured an extra automatic qualification place in the expanded 2026 tournament, Peru believed they had the strength to reach their fifth World Cup final. However, in their opening match against Paraguay, Peru had to fight hard as Luis Advincula was sent off for two fouls before half-time.
Despite winning just one of their last five internationals, Peru will be pleased with the fact that they have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches. Another point on Tuesday will no doubt be seen as a success, but the hosts will be dreaming of beating Brazil for the first time since June 2016 in an official match.
Interim Brazilian head coach Fernando Diniz began his tenure with a 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia on Friday night.Rodrygo scored a goal at each end of the game, Raphinha also scored, and Neymar scored twice to overtake the record previously held by Pillay as Brazil's top scorer in men's soccer.
The result marked Brazil's fourth consecutive win in World Cup qualifying, a streak that included three consecutive 4-0 victories against Paraguay, Chile and Bolivia. The win also extends their 35-match unbeaten streak, which began in October 2015, in World Cup qualifying.
Having won their last two visits to Peru, Brazil are confident about traveling to Lima for Tuesday's match.
Predicted Result: Peru 0-2 Brazil. Brazil have won their last four matches against Peru and are unbeaten in their last three games against Tuesday's opponents, and we think they will once again play a strong defense to start their qualifying campaign with back-to-back wins.
