Carlo Ancelotti’s reign as Brazil national team coach began with a goalless draw, as the five-time World Cup champions were held 0-0 by a resilient Ecuador side in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi made his return for Argentina, coming off the bench in their 1-0 win over Chile as La Albiceleste tightened their grip on top spot.
Ancelotti’s First Game Ends in Stalemate
Fresh off his departure from Real Madrid, Ancelotti officially took charge of Brazil and oversaw his first match in Quito. However, the experienced Italian tactician couldn’t inspire an immediate victory, as his side struggled to break down a disciplined Ecuador defence.
Brazil managed just three shots throughout the 90 minutes, with few clear chances. Vinícius Júnior had the best opportunity in the second half but failed to convert, summing up a frustrating night for the Seleção.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti remained optimistic:
“Defensively, we did very well today. I saw improvement in our possession and the overall rhythm of the match. It’s a good result, and we’re satisfied with the draw. There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re confident heading into the next game.”
Vinícius Struggles in Iconic No. 10 Shirt
With Neymar still absent from international duty, Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior wore Brazil’s iconic No. 10 jersey, but his performance failed to live up to expectations. Despite the hype, he was contained mainly by Ecuador’s backline.
Vinícius showed his support for the new coach:
“I’m delighted Ancelotti is here. He’s the best coach I’ve ever worked with. Of course, he hasn’t had time yet to implement his ideas fully. But we need to stay united. The World Cup is around the corner, and we need to finish the qualifiers strong.”
Looking ahead, Brazil will host Paraguay in their next match and will aim to return to winning ways on home soil.
Despite a run of just one win in their last four qualifiers, Brazil remain in 4th place in the standings. They hold a 7-point lead over 7th-placed Venezuela, albeit having played one game more. With the top six teams earning automatic World Cup qualification and the 7th going to an intercontinental playoff, Brazil’s path to the 2026 World Cup is still in their own hands.
Messi Returns as Alvarez Delivers for Argentina
Elsewhere, Argentina continued their dominant run, narrowly defeating Chile 1-0 away thanks to a 16th-minute goal from Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez.
Messi, who had been sidelined, made his return in the 57th minute to a roar from travelling fans. Though he didn’t score, his presence lifted the team’s composure as they saw out the narrow win.
The victory extends Argentina’s lead at the top of the table to 10 points over Ecuador. With just a few matches remaining, La Albiceleste look almost certain to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in commanding fashion.
In another key result, Paraguay claimed a 2-0 win over Uruguay, climbing to 3rd in the standings. Uruguay, on the other hand, is now winless in four straight matches and sits precariously in 5th place.
With only three rounds left, the race for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup is heating up, and giants like Brazil and Uruguay must now prove they can finish strong.
