Raphinha led Brazil to a confident 4-0 victory over Peru, boosting their World Cup qualification campaign after a shaky start.
Introduction:
Brazilian football has seen one of their brightest talents come to growth. Raphinha, Brazil’s No. 11, has found a new role with the national team and emerged to thrive in it. In Brazil’s dominant 4-0 victory over Peru, Raphinha featured twice and played a creative role that mirrors his fruitful stint at Barcelona this season. This virtue has seen him be at the forefront of Brazil’s qualification into the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Raphinha: The creative force behind Brazil’s 4-0 win
Brazil’s World Cup qualification campaign put on a tremendous show with a thumping win over Peru, and Raphinha was at the heart of it. Taking on a play-making role, much as he did when playing at Barcelona, Raphinha scored two needed goals with good imagination to complement them. His first goal came via penalty after an earlier near-miss by Raphinha, off the crossbar. His second came after Brazil won a second penalty, which Raphinha coolly dispatched.
See also: Rodrygo’s Goal Secures Brazil’s 1-0 Win Over Ecuador in World Cup Qualifier
In addition to scoring so many goals, Raphinha’s vision and passing opened up Peru’s defense on several occasions, which reflects his development into more of a central playmaker. Through this new role, he is getting to show not only his finishing but also his creative vision as an all-around threat to Brazil.
Young man’s adaptation of a central role at Barcelona and at Brazil.
Raphinha’s shift from the right wing to something far more central as an attacking player has been somewhat of an adaptation process. At Barcelona, the emergence of Lamine Yamal has shunted Raphinha out of his natural wide role into such a more middle-fashioned role as the coach Hansi Flick experimented with him as a central playmaker. He had initially confessed in a recent interview he wasn’t too keen on the idea. Still, with time, he learned to appreciate the role of flexibility, especially when playing for a club or country of such standing.
That is results, indeed. In 11 games across La Liga and the Champions League, Raphinha has scored six goals and made five assists, now reaping success from club level to the international scene after he filled the void created by the injury of Neymar and absence of Vinicius Junior.
Filling the Void Left by Neymar and Vinicius Junior
There is no player who has been able to replace the injured Neymar, who has been out of the lineup for close to a year. In his stead have been Lucas Paqueta and Rodrygo, trying to fill that No. 10 role, but no one has ever fully laid claim to it. In this international break, with Vinicius Junior also unavailable, coach Dorival Júnior took a tactical decision, playing Rodrygo on the left wing as Raphinha was allowed to play more centrally, in the No. 10 position.
This has been wonderful for Brazil. In both of Brazil’s recent victories, Raphinha has emerged remarkably well: giving not only goals but also leadership in attack. He will shoulder responsibility, particularly from the penalty spot, which proclaims a player growing in confidence and maturity.
A Crucial Player in Brazil’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign
It was almost as if Brazil had suffered a hit-and-run victim, losing an uncertain start to their qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cupâ„¢. However, Raphinha has started to bring a glimmer of hope forward. That double against Peru elevated his tally of national team goals to level with Rodrygo, but his influence is far more significant than just numbers. Playmaking and versatility are turning out to become integral for Brazil in the bid for a berth in the World Cup.
We needed that, not just in the first game – I said that winning was the only option. It was important for us to get back-to-back wins,” Raphinha reflected on their victory. His words are central to creating momentum, and his performances have been proving central to Brazil’s resurgence.
Conclusion:
Raphinha has emerged like a superstar from obscurity, and that too within the Brazilian national team. Initially, he made a reluctant start to this new position, but now for both Barcelona and Brazil, he turned into the creative heartbeat, and it is his adaptability which makes him good quality. So, if Brazil looks to regain the hold they once had on the world stage, then maybe Raphinha’s evolution into a central playmaker might just prove to be the ticket to reignite their flagging World Cup qualification campaign.