Mauricio ends a 12-year drought and becomes the sixth Palmeiras player to score at a World Cup
The Paraguay midfielder ended Palmeiras' 12-year World Cup scoring drought with a goal against the USA. Vavá, Mazzola and Valdivia are among his predecessors.
Twelve years of waiting. Since Valdivia in 2014, no player linked to Palmeiras had found the net at a World Cup — until Friday, in Los Angeles.
Mauricio scored Paraguay's goal in a 4–1 defeat to the United States and joined a select club: he is now the sixth Palmeiras player to score at the tournament, according to ge. The scoreline barely mattered — the historic feat stands.
The list he has joined carries real weight. Vavá (1962) scored four times and was a world champion with Brazil, including in the final against Czechoslovakia. Mazzola (1958) also lifted the trophy, with two goals. Jair Rosa Pinto, Francisco Arce and Valdivia complete the group ahead of Mauricio.
The drought had an explanation: in 2022, Palmeiras sent only Weverton to Qatar — and goalkeepers don't score. In 2018, Miguel Borja was on Colombia's list but went without a goal. This time, the club broke its record for players called up, and the return came in the very first game.
And Verdão still has more representatives on the pitch. Emiliano Martínez and Piquerez are representing Uruguay — the Golmetria model gives La Celeste an 85% chance of advancing from the group stage. Flaco López, Palmeiras' top scorer in the first half of the season, is playing for Argentina, whom the model gives a 13% chance of winning the title. Jhon Arias takes the field for Colombia on Wednesday.
Mauricio opened the door. Now Palmeiras fans are following the World Cup on at least six fronts — and the question that lingers is: who on the list will shine next?