Brazil extended a rather remarkable record on Monday night at the 2022 World Cup with a 4-1 victory over South Korea.
Brazil became the first team in World Cup history to deploy 26 different players in a single World Cup tournament when third-choice goalkeeper Weverton replaced Alisson in the last 10 minutes.
The tournament’s previous maximum of 23 participants has been increased for the first time in this edition, making it possible to utilize as many players as possible.
For what was essentially a dead rubber match against Cameroon on matchday three of the group stage, Brazil manager Tite chose to make nearly wholesale changes, bringing in several players on the periphery of his squad.
Weverton, a stopper for Palmeiras, was the last of Brazil’s 26 players to play this winter after the team chose to start backup goalkeeper Ederson last time.
Brazil has already surpassed their previous mark for the most players deployed during a final. The Netherlands held the previous title after using their 23rd player to defeat the Selecao in the third-place play-off back in 2014. Michel Vorm was added in the final minute to complete the set.
After making it to the quarterfinals, Tite’s players will be looking to make more history in 2022. They could face bitter rivals Argentina in the semifinals the following week after facing Croatia on Friday.
