Richarlison Ancelotti Brazil Bolivia GFXGetty Images
Tom Hindle

Brazil player ratings vs Bolivia: Richarlison falls flat as Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao suffer defeat in final World Cup qualifier

The Italian manager made numerous changes, and saw his disjointed team deservedly fall to a side that needed to win to keep their dream of playing at 2026 alive

Brazil's attack fell limp as Carlo Ancelotti's heavily rotated side lost against a well-drilled Bolivia on Tuesday evening, with a 1-0 win for the hosts securing a place in the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation play-offs. 

The Selecao fielded a much-changed XI, with World Cup qualification already secure, and the result was a rather disjointed performance that lacked creativity while the home side peppered the Brazil goal. 

Bolivia managed 15 shots in the first half alone, and were good value for the opening goal, when it came. Bruno Guimaraes lost the ball at the edge of his box before tripping a Bolivia attacker, and Miguel Terceros converted the subsequent penalty. Brazil offered a bit more attacking threat in the second half as Ancelotti shuffled his pack, introducing Raphinha, Estevao, and Joao Pedro from the bench as the visitors probed for an equaliser. There were, accordingly, some moments of promise as Raphinha whipped in some dangerous deliveries and forced a tidy save out of the goalkeeper as time expired.

GOAL rates Brazil's players from Estadio Municipal El Alto...

  • Fabricio Bruno Brazil 2025Getty

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Alisson Becker (7/10):

    Guessed the right way on the penalty, but it was struck too hard for him to do anything about it. Made a bunch of saves otherwise. 

    Vitinho (5/10):

    Got his positioning all wrong ahead of the penalty and really could have supported the attack more. 

    Fabricio Bruno (7/10):

    Imperious in the air, and was pretty much the only Brazil defender to equip himself well.

    Alexsandro Ribeiro (5/10):

    The more comfortable of the two centre- backs on the ball, but some of his tackling was nightmarish.  

    Caio Henrique (6/10):

    Never quite settled in, but good to get 90 minutes under his belt. 

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  • Lucas Paqueta Brazil 2025Getty

    Midfield

    Andrey Santos (5/10):

    Sat at the base of midfield effectively and broke up play, without offering loads in terms of forward progression. Lost the most duels in the match. 

    Lucas Paqueta (5/10):

    Struggled to get involved in the first half, when Brazil really could have done with more of a creative influence. Didn't create a single chance. 

    Bruno Guimaraes (4/10):

    Flew into tackles and was generally a bit of a menace in the middle of the pitch. Gave away the penalty.

  • Samuel Lino Brazil 2025Getty

    Attack

    Luiz Henrique (6/10):

    Put a couple shots on goal and had a few lively moments, but didn't get loads of service on the wing. 

    Richarlison (4/10):

    Not his most involved game at all. Seventeen touches in 60 minutes, and not much going forward otherwise.  

    Samuel Lino (5/10):

    Pretty poor in his chance to work his way into the left wing picture.

  • Carlo Ancelotti Brazil 2025Getty

    Subs & Manager

    Marquinhos (7/10):

    Offered a steadier presence at the back, and a bit more forward progression. 

    Estevao Willian (6/10):

    A few nice touches, but not involved too much. 

    Joao Pedro (5/10):

    Barely touched the ball, and saw his only shot blocked. 

    Raphinha (6/10):

    A real livewire when he came on. Unlucky not to score or assist. 

    Jean Lucas (N/A):

    No time to make an impact. 

    Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

    Rotated heavily in a game that didn't really matter. Won't like the loss, but Brazil had already wrapped up qualification.