Match preview for Ecuador v Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti begins his profession as Brazil coach with a difficult check in CONMEBOL qualifying because the Selecao journey to Guayaquil to face Ecuador.
Having changed Dorival Junior, Ancelotti takes on the sizeable activity of restoring the five-time world champions to the summit of worldwide soccer.
Doing so is not going to be straightforward, the hole between reigning world champions Argentina and Brazil having been emphatically illustrated by the sport that ended Dorival’s reign, a 4-1 defeat to La Albiceleste in Buenos Aires.
That loss on the Monumental left Brazil 10 factors behind their arch rivals in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Argentina already certain of their place within the 2026 World Cup finals in america, Canada and Mexico.
Six factors away from Venezuela, who occupy the interconfederation play-off spot in seventh, with 4 video games to go, Brazil are nonetheless in a superb place to keep up their report of getting certified for each World Cup finals.
Victory over Ecuador wouldn’t fairly clinch their place on the 2026 match however, with qualification extremely seemingly, the objective for Brazil considerations being in the very best place attainable to mount a severe problem to win the World Cup for the primary time since 2002.
Marquinhos has seen the type of affect a coach can have in a brief area of time as a part of the Paris Saint-Germain staff that received the Champions League to finish the treble in simply their second season below Luis Enrique.
O TRABALHO NÃO PARA! 🫵
A Seleção Brasileira realizou, na manhã desta terça-feira (3), o segundo treino no CT Joaquim Grava, em São Paulo. A atividade faz parte da preparação para o confronto contra o Equador, que acontecerá na próxima quinta-feira (5), às 20h, no Estádio… pic.twitter.com/oqubkmFkit
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 3, 2025
And he’s assured Ancelotti can have an analogous affect for Brazil.
“I noticed at PSG that issues can change in a short time, the dynamics, the power, every thing,” Marquinhos stated. “I hope that occurs right here, too. I’ve had little contact with Ancelotti, solely final night time and this morning, however he gave me a transparent image of the sport plan.
“Together with his expertise, the difference will likely be fast. Together with his expertise, we’ll enhance with each coaching session. He brings power, one thing new. It’s a short while till the World Cup, so this power is essential. It’s only a begin, it can rely so much on our efficiency on the sphere.
“Our first objective is to qualify, that’s what we’re aiming for now. We ask everybody to stay calm, affected person, and to have quite a lot of confidence in our expertise and in our coach. He’ll convey outcomes, sure, and we hope it is going to be within the subsequent recreation. If not, we ask for persistence as a result of it can work out.
“Our actual objective is to qualify for the World Cup, develop, acquire energy, and arrive in fine condition for the World Cup after qualifying. We at all times struggle for titles, we at all times struggle on the high right here within the nationwide staff, whatever the second. We are going to at all times have the very best ambitions.
“The group must be robust and ready. That’s how we ready for the Champions League and that’s the way it must be with the nationwide staff.”
Ecuador are second within the group and can qualify for the World Cup in the event that they beat Brazil and Venezuela’s recreation with Bolivia ends in a draw.
Workforce information for Ecuador v Brazil
Ecuador have made no main adjustments to their squad from the final spherical of qualifiers in March, with Sebastián Beccacece sticking with the identical method that has put them on the point of the finals.
Enner Valencia will seemingly lead the road for El Tri. Ecuador’s report goalscorer has 5 to his identify to this point in qualifying.
Ancelotti handed recollects to the likes of Casemiro, Antony and Richarlison in his first squad.
Neymar was not chosen having solely lately returned from damage. Midfielder Joelinton, who began towards Argentina final day trip, just isn’t within the squad after lacking Newcastle United’s end-of-season run-in with a knee concern.
Predicted line-ups for Ecuador v Brazil
Ecuador: Galindez; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Estupinan; Preciado, Vite, Caicedo, Franco, Plata; Valencia
Brazil: Alisson; Vanderson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Carlos Augusto; Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson; Raphinha, Cunha, Vinicius Junior; Richarlison
The right way to watch Ecuador v Brazil: TV and streaming choices
Ecuador versus Brazil kicks off at midnight Friday morning UK time. Premier Sports activities subscribers can watch the sport on Premier Sports activities 1 or on the Premier Sports activities Participant. Bet365 clients can even watch the sport on-line or through the bet365 app.
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Stats
- Ecuador are unbeaten in all seven of their house video games in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
- Nonetheless, Brazil are unbeaten towards Ecuador in 13 video games since a defeat in 2004.
- Brazil have stored solely three clear sheets of their 14 qualifiers to this point, although a type of got here in a 1-0 win over Ecuador within the reverse fixture.