"Side note 7": Douglas Santos is Brazil's highlight in the World Cup; see numbers
Touted as a "grade 7 full-back", Douglas Santos has been one of the biggest highlights of the Brazilian team at the 2026 World Cup. What was a concern for many, and even for Carlo Ancelotti, has become a pleasant surprise on Brazil's left-back.
According to data from the Sofascore platform, Douglas has an average rating of 6.98 after Brazil's four games at the World Cup. He has so far faced Morocco, Haiti, Scotland and Japan. However, what has caught the attention of fans is the security that the left-back displays defensively.
The numbers show that Douglas is the player who has the most tackles among the entire group of Brazilian athletes, with an average of three tackles per game.
In addition, he also has data such as 4.2 balls recovered per game, only two dribbles conceded in the entire World Cup, 68% efficiency in duels and 74% efficiency in duels on the ground.
Now, the fans' only demand is that Douglas improves the offensive part, as the player only has one chance created throughout the competition.
Defensively secure World Cup
So far, Brazil has conceded just two goals in the 2026 World Cup. Both did not actually pass through the left side of the field, where Douglas Santos plays.
The other players in the Brazilian defense have also stood out. Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, for example, have presented scores higher than 7.0 in all matches so far.
Magalhães also helped the team offensively in the match against Japan, when he assisted Casemiro's goal.
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Casemiro equalizes for Brazil against Japan - Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Gabriel Martinelli scored Brazil's qualifying goal against Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Gabriel Martinelli scored Brazil's qualifying goal against Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Gabriel Martinelli scored Brazil's qualifying goal against Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Casemiro scores against Japan - Photo Agency/Getty Images
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Ball dispute in Brazil x Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Casemiro scores against Japan - Image Photo Agency/Getty Image
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Vinicius Jr during the match between Brazil and Japan - Photo: Disclosure / FIFA
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Martinelli celebrates Brazil's qualifying goal against Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Gabriel Martinelli scored Brazil's qualifying goal against Japan - Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
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Vinicius Junior almost painted for Brazil against Japan - Molly Darlington/Getty Images
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Bruno Guimarães celebrates with Casemiro Brazil's goal against Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Input players Brazil x Japan - Disclosure / FIFA
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Japan players celebrate after goal against Brazil - Disclosure/FIFA
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Sano beats Casemiro's marker and opens the scoring for Japan against Brazil - Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Zion Suzuki, Japan goalkeeper - Disclosure / Fifa.com
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Casemiro draws for Brazil against Japan - Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Meet Douglas Santos, member of the Brazilian team at the World Cup
However, what still worries fans is the right side of the defense, due to Danilo, who started the succession of errors in the goal conceded in the decisive match this Monday (29).
World Cup: see the teams that participated in the World Cup finals
Source: CNN