Ancelotti Faces Harsh Reality in Brazil Debut

Carlo Ancelotti's debut as Brazil's head coach was met with high expectations, given his illustrious history with Real Madrid. However, the Italian faced a harsh reality, realising firsthand that the five-time world champions are a shadow of their former selves. The goalless draw against Ecuador did little to inspire optimism, although Ancelotti, experienced and adept at handling media and public pressure, tried to remain positive.

"We leave satisfied, with confidence for the next match," which will be against Paraguay, said Ancelotti, 65, in the post-match press conference in Guayaquil. He highlighted that "defensively, the team played very well" and acknowledged that attacking was challenging due to the physical and tough nature of the opponent, especially on their home turf.

"We must consider the strength of the opponent because Ecuador played a good match, and it was very difficult to find space between the lines," Ancelotti explained. He noted that Vinicius urged patience and time from the demanding and nervous 'verdeamarelha' fans. Looking ahead to Tuesday's match against Paraguay in Sao Paulo, Ancelotti predicted offensive improvements, emphasising the high quality of his players.

With the draw, Ecuador maintains second place in the South American World Cup 2026 qualifiers with 24 points, behind the formidable Argentina and ahead of Paraguay, who are level on points but with a lower goal difference. Paraguay defeated Uruguay 2-0 on Thursday. Meanwhile, Brazil holds onto fourth place with 22 points.

The match between La Tricolor and the Canarinha was intense and competitive from start to finish at the Monumental Stadium, but the draw extends the concern for both teams. The game started poorly for the hosts as goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez left the field in tears due to injury. He was replaced by Gonzalo Valle, who performed confidently and saved Ecuador after a powerful shot from Vinicius. Contrary to expectations, the Real Madrid star had few appearances.

With Hincapié and Pacho leading the way, Ecuador's defensive wall showcased its efficiency in containing Brazil's advances, led by captain Marquinhos. Remarkable in immediate recovery and precise in ball distribution upon regaining possession, Ecuador managed to stifle the Seleçao at times.

The best of La Tricolor's attack came in the final minutes of the match when they accelerated and cornered Ancelotti's team. Estupiñán, well-known to Spanish fans and now with Brighton in the Premier League, nearly scored the winning goal with a long-range shot two minutes after Casemiro's powerful strike shook the stadium, but Valle responded with composure and reflexes.