Brazil was without five frequent starters for the match. Goalkeeper Ederson, defender Thiago Silva, midfielder Fred, and strikers Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus did not travel to South America.
Coach Tite decided to change the team’s formation to use four men up front; Lucas Paquetá, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Barbosa and Neymar.
His substitute goalkeeper Weverton was the best player of the first half in Santiago, making key saves in a free kick taken by Arturo Vidal and the rebound headed by Eduardo Vargas.
The second half had a more proactive Brazil. Vinicius Jr. left for Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Guimaraes was replaced by Gerson. Chile had fewer opportunities to score and ran the risk of offering more dangerous counters to the visitors.
In one of those counters, Danilo brought the ball to Ribeiro on the edge of the box. He passed to Neymar in front of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, but the striker missed his opportunity. Ribeiro had the rebound to get the only goal of the match in the 64th minute.
Chile kept most of the ball possession, but did not offer much risk to Weverton until the end of the match.
Asked about Sunday’s clasico, Ribeiro said it will not be a rematch after Argentina’s 1-0 victory at the Maracana Stadium in July’s Copa America final. “But it will be a historic match, facing Argentina is always tough,” he said.
