The “Dinizmo”, Seleçao version, is well born! Thanks to a well-deserved success Friday evening against Bolivia (5-1), the weakest team on the continent, in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the new Seleçao coach was able to show all of Brazil a glimpse of his style of play. After making sparks – in sequences – at Osasco, at São Paulo FC or today at Fluminense, Fernando Diniz, 49 years old, is responsible for applying his methods with Casemiro, Neymar and company.
After just a few sessions, Brazil’s game has not yet radically changed but it is already faster, more intense and more unpredictable. It must be recognized that the Bolivians, who have never won on Brazilian soil, did nothing to complicate the task of their host. Only Viscarra, the goalkeeper of The Strongest, stood out. In particular against the former PSG striker, who had not played with the Seleçao for 9 months, and elimination in the quarter-finals of the World Cupagainst Croatia.
He first captured without much difficulty the too-timid penalty from Neymar (17th) who had not experienced failure in his favorite exercise since February 19, 2022, against Nantes. The Bolivian goalkeeper then prevented the Al Hilal attacker from completing a formidable giant slalom during which he obliterated 4 opponents (41st). Viscarra, however, was unable to do anything about his powerful strike from the penalty spot after a cross from Raphinha (60th).
It was already the 4th goal for his team, after Rodrygo’s double (24th and 53rd) and that of Raphinha (47th), but it was the most symbolic: it was Neymar’s 78th goal with the Seleçao, a more than the record held by King Pelé! Faced with such an accomplishment, number 10 celebrated as his glorious elder did, by punching the sky. With tears in his eyes, he received a hug from all his teammates, before going to kiss Fernando Diniz, whom he described as “different and innovative”.
A successful comeback
“If I score, I will dedicate this goal to my friends and family who have helped me throughout my career”, Neymar said the day before at a press conference. It was therefore of them that he must have thought when joining the center of the field, obviously proud of his comeback (he had not played an official match since February 19, against Lille) which he embellished with a decisive pass (on the 3rd goal) and a masterful strike on the bar (80th), before punctuating his festival with a second goal, scored on a recovery from the right after a cross from Raphinha (92nd).
Acclaimed by the crowd at Manguerao in Belém, he completed 92% of his passes and 7 dribbles out of 10 attempts… Marquinhos, his former PSG teammate, was much less in demand. He endangered his goalkeeper, Ederson, with a dangerous back pass (30th) and did not defend very well on Abrego’s beautiful strike which allowed Bolivia to reduce the score (77th). As for Marseillais Renan Lodi, he managed 3 crosses into the area and participated well in Brazil’s offensive animation before being replaced by Monegasque Caio Henrique (70th). Brazil will now travel to Lima, to face Peru, in four days and try to confirm the very good impression left for Fernando Diniz’s premiere