Brazil needed an 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique to seal a 2-1 win over Chile in their South American World Cup qualifier.
Under-pressure coach Dorival Junior’s team fell behind when veteran striker Eduardo Vargas headed past goalkeeper Ederson.
Brazil struggled to create clear chances, but managed to equalize through Igor Jesus, who came on as a replacement for injured Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
Henrique – who plays for Botafogo – then scored his first international goal from the edge of the area to take the points.
“This shirt means a lot. It is a great feeling for us to wear it. We know what is happening, but we wanted to change it,” said Henrique. “Our fans can be sure we will fight always for this team. We are the only five-time World Cup champions, we will play with passion.”
Dorival Junior said: “We will have a very strong team two years from now.
“But it is only in the dictionary that success comes before work.”
Elsewhere, Lionel Messi made his return to international duty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela.
⚽ @Argentina 🇦🇷 1 (Nicolás Otamendi) 🆚 #Venezuela 🇻🇪 1 (Salomón Rondón)
👉 ¡Final del partido!
🔜 El próximo martes el equipo comandado por Lionel #Scaloni jugará ante #Bolivia 🇧🇴 pic.twitter.com/0Jd9IyqG1k
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 10, 2024
Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, was brilliant in setting up Otamendi on a drenched pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain.
Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, filling in for Emiliano Martinez, who is serving a two-match ban for offensive behaviour, produced a fine performance to keep out Salomon Rondon’s first-half efforts.
However, the determined Venezuelan striker equalized in the second half with a header from Yeferson Soteldo’s cross.
“It was an ugly match. We couldn’t even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped because of the water on the pitch. It is difficult to play in these conditions, the pitch didn’t help,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.
“The best conditions for us to play is that there is a good pitch, good weather, that the ball runs. We don’t ask for much, do we?” added midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.
Argentina are top of the standings on 19 points, ahead of Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil.
