It’s hard to imagine that only a few months ago we were considering the possibility of Brazil missing a World Cup for the first time since the tournament began back in 1930.
Well, the tables have turned for the Selecao as well as for everyone else in South America.
The Chileans looked like the stronghold of the continent after claiming two consecutive Copa Americas. Now their mojo seems to be gone as they have lost two and tied one of their last four matches.
Argentina is in the same boat as new manager Edgardo Bauza has only managed one win in the last four games as La Albiceleste fell in the standings and would have to face Oceania’s winner in a playoff should the qualifiers end today.
And then we have Brazil.
In just four matches, Tite has already put up better numbers as a national team manager than four of the five managers who won World Cups for Brazil.
His four consecutive wins are a first for Brazil since Tele Santana in 1981. Santana commanded the star-studded 1982 Brazilian national team, which was considered the best squad the country has ever produced even though they failed to win a World Cup.
Comparisons to old legends aside, the new Brazil manager has his team running on all cylinders and has been praised by all of his players. Dani Alves even said he reminded him a bit of Pep Guardiola back in Barcelona.
Nevertheless, the biggest win Tite scored was on his selection of the team’s number nine.
While the national team has had its troubles in the past decade, the biggest hole in Brazil’s squad since Ronaldo retired from international soccer has been that number nine spot.
Adriano was more interested in partying than playing. Luis Fabiano failed to shine when it counted the most. Fred showed promise in the Confederations Cup but just couldn’t deliver in the main tournament. Those are just a few of the many names who had their chance at claiming the shirt since 2006.
How funny is that, as none of those experienced strikers seemed to click, a teenager rose to the challenge and delivered for the Selecao?
After this beauty of a goal against Venezuela, Gabriel Jesus became the youngest player to score four goals in South American World Cup Qualifiers.
The future Manchester City striker was only 19 years and 191 days old when he chipped Venezuela’s goalkeeper. To put this in perspective, Lionel Messi was 21 years and 277 days old when he scored his fourth goal for Argentina.
Tite’s bet on the kid is paying off, but what is most interesting about that selection, is that not too long ago these two were on opposing sides in one of the fiercest derbies in the world.
Tite was the boss of Corinthians, while Jesus played for Palmeiras, terrorizing his future manager’s defense.
Imagine Arsene Wenger became England’s boss and decided to pick a 19-year-old Tottenham striker to lead his front line. It’s not a perfect metaphor, but you get the gist of it.
One way or the other, the Brazilians are chanting, and Pep Guardiola is secretly cheering for beating the other European giants to Jesus’ signature.
Only time will tell for how long this honeymoon of old rivals last, but the next test for Brazil will be a trial by fire as they host Argentina in November, a game that will be played at the same venue where the biggest disaster in the country’s history happened.
Will Tite purge the ghosts of the 7-1 or will Bauza get his team back on track? November 10 can’t come sooner.
