Carlo Ancelotti started his tenure answerable for the Brazil nationwide workforce with a goalless draw at Ecuador which was brief on each high quality and probabilities on Thursday.
Ancelotti was managing his first match for Brazil since leaving Actual Madrid on the finish of the Spanish home season, with the Selecao having been managerless since March after sacking Dorival Junior.
Whereas the outcome helps each groups in direction of their purpose of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the efficiency from the guests was a way wanting what was anticipated.
Brazil discovered it troublesome to interrupt down an stubborn Ecuador defence, with Vinicius Junior having the clearest sight on purpose within the first half.
Vinicius’ effort was well-saved by goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle, although the house goalkeeper was not examined once more for the rest of the half.
Ecuador’s resistance was comprehensible, provided that they got here into this match on the again of a 14-match unbeaten run at residence and issues may have gotten even higher for them after the break.
John Yeboah break up the Brazilian defence with a by ball for Nilson Angulo, although the latter was known as offside when offered with an opportunity.
Brazil examined Valle as soon as extra within the match, by Casemiro’s long-range shot, whereas Richarlison ought to have made him work however didn’t capitalise on Vinicius’ spectacular cross.
Following the draw, Ecuador keep second within the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying desk, 10 factors behind the already-qualified Argentina. Brazil are fourth, an extra two factors again and crucially, seven factors above the play-off spot with simply three video games remaining.
Elsewhere, Uruguay have been overwhelmed 2-0 away to Paraguay in a match that kicked off on the identical time. The outcome means Marcelo Bielsa’s aspect drop one place and one level beneath Brazil, whereas Paraguay are third and stage on factors with Ecuador.
Partida encerrada no Equador. O Brasil empatou por 0x0 e segue para o próximo confronto contra o Paraguai, em São Paulo.
Rafael Ribeiro/CBF pic.twitter.com/ypttXo28HU
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 6, 2025
Knowledge debrief: Stale efficiency to start out Ancelotti period
Neither aspect managed an anticipated targets (xG) whole of over 0.5, with Ecuador registering 0.46 and Brazil’s whole down at simply 0.38 after having simply three makes an attempt on purpose general, and two heading in the right direction.
In a poor encounter, each groups created what Opta outline as a giant probability simply as soon as every throughout the match.
For Ecuador although, the draw represented their fifteenth straight sport with out defeat at residence, whereas they’ve now impressively saved 10 clear sheets of their final 15 World Cup qualifiers.
