Brazil Must Adapt To Raphinha Absence, Paqueta Insists On Quick Squad Reshuffle

Brazil face a major test at the World Cup as Lucas Paqueta calls for quick changes after Raphinha’s injury, with the winger ruled out of the crucial Group C game against Scotland on 24 June and tournament leaders Brazil still not guaranteed a place in the knockout phase.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team sit top of Group C with four points, yet defeat against Scotland at Miami Stadium could still push Brazil down to third, so Raphinha’s absence adds pressure for a side that must adjust fast while still managing expectations around the Barcelona forward’s possible return.

Raphinha left the pitch in the first half of the win over Haiti with a thigh problem, and the Brazilian federation confirmed intensive treatment is planned, hoping the forward can feature again during the knockout rounds, although medical staff have accepted that the Scotland fixture comes too soon.

The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals in 41 international appearances, with Raphinha’s direct attacking style now missing from Brazil’s right flank, and Paqueta warned that the group must adapt tactically instead of dwelling on the loss, especially with limited recovery time before the decisive Scotland encounter.

Paqueta explained that the squad feel the blow on a personal level as well as on the pitch, saying: "We are all sad, especially Rafa [Raphinha], because of the little setback with this injury, but he can count on all of us for support. We are all by his side," highlighting the close bond in the changing room.

Paqueta also underlined how much Brazil rely on the Barcelona player, stating: "He is a dedicated kid, and I am sure he will do everything possible and impossible to be back as soon as possible. But in terms of how important he is, well, I don't think I need to say anything.

He has had an incredible couple of seasons and has been getting better and better for the national team, so I think that when any player of that importance is missing you are going to have to restructure quickly. We all know his characteristics, his qualities, his pace, his ability to create space and his finishing ability, so I think we are losing a very important player. But we are not paying too much attention to how long he is going to be out. We just hope he is back as soon possible.

Beyond the immediate concern, the Brazil vs Scotland World Cup clash also carries a long shared history, as this will be the fifth meeting between the nations at the tournament after 1974, 1982, 1990 and 1998, with only Argentina v Netherlands played more often on this stage since the 1974 edition.

Scotland and Brazil first met at the World Cup in 1974, when the game finished 0-0, but Brazil then won the next three tournament encounters against Scotland, with scorelines of 4-1 in 1982, 1-0 in 1990 and 2-1 in 1998, adding extra context to a match already shaped by Raphinha’s injury and Brazil’s need to adjust.