João Paulo

Kept busy in draw

Paulo recorded two shots (zero on goal), five crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Friday's 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.

Analysis: Paulo made his first World Cup start on Friday, stepping in for Sidny Lopes Cabral following his suspension, and he maximized every minute on the pitch. He maintained an impressive 89 percent pass accuracy while contributing five crosses, four interceptions, and five clearances, showcasing both reliability and range on the left flank. This level of performance could allow him to retain the left back role for the upcoming Argentina clash, as he has allowed less than one goal on average in his appearances and has already produced 15 defensive contributions across 104 minutes of action.