## Botafogo Duo Rescue Brazil: Local Heroes Rise as Neymar, Vinicius Jr. Absence Sparks Debate
Two unlikely heroes emerged from the ranks of Botafogo to save Brazil from another embarrassing defeat in South American World Cup Qualifiers. Igor Jesus and Luiz Henrique, both strikers for the Brazilian club, combined for a last-minute 2-1 victory over Chile, rescuing coach Dorival Júnior from a potentially disastrous fourth consecutive loss.
The absence of star players Neymar and Vinicius Jr. once again highlighted the debate on whether local players should have more opportunities on the national stage. Coach Dorival Júnior, facing pressure from fans and even Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is now expected to give more playing time to these local talents.
Jesus, not Real Madrid’s highly-touted Endrick, is set to lead the line as a center forward, while Henrique is likely to replace Savinho as a second-half substitute. The impact of these two Botafogo players has reignited a familiar conversation in Brazil: Should the national team prioritize players from the big European leagues for major competitions?
President Lula himself weighed in on the debate: “I was watching (Brazil vs. Chile), and I only knew the goalkeeper (Ederson), the PSG defender (Marquinhos), Rodrygo and Raphinha, who I recognized because of his hairstyle,” Lula told radio CBN. “I didn’t know these players. They should get those who play here in Brazil to play for the national team.”
Since taking over the national team, Dorival Júnior has called on 20 locally-based players, and Tuesday’s match against Peru could see even more local talents like Botafogo left-back Alex Telles and Cruzeiro midfielder Matheus Pereira get their chance.
Brazil’s victory propelled them to fourth place in the standings with 13 points, trailing Argentina (19), Colombia (16), and Uruguay (15). The team’s resurgence, largely thanks to the Botafogo duo, has injected a new sense of optimism and perhaps a change in strategy for future selection decisions.
## Argentina Faces Boosted Bolivia
At the top of the table, Argentina is facing a little pressure as they welcome Bolivia to Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The Argentines have only managed one point from their last two qualifiers – a 2-1 defeat in Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Venezuela. They’ll be looking for a strong performance to solidify their position at the summit.
Defender Cristian Romero returns after suspension to replace German Pezzella, while midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is likely to replace Thiago Almada, who missed the Venezuela clash. Upfront, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are both in contention for a starting spot.
Bolivia, meanwhile, has undergone a transformation since their 3-0 defeat to Argentina in La Paz at the start of qualifying a year ago. Under new coach Óscar Villegas and playing at the high-altitude Estadio Municipal in El Alto (4,150 meters above sea level), Bolivia has won three consecutive matches against Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia, lifting them to fifth place in the table, comfortably inside the top six qualifying spots.
This is a new-look Bolivia, a force to be reckoned with, and a significant challenge for Lionel Messi and his team. They last qualified for the World Cup in 1994, and this time, they’re looking to make a statement.