Brazil Held To A Goalless Draw By Ecuador In Carlo Ancelotti’s Debut | Football News

The 65-year-old Italian, Ancelotti, who left Real Madrid at the end of the European season, has been tasked with guiding Brazil through the final stages of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. He replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March after a 4-1 defeat to reigning champions and arch-rivals Argentina.

Thursday’s draw leaves Brazil in fourth place in the qualifying table with 22 points, while Ecuador remains second with 24 points. Argentina lead with 34 points and are the only team to have officially qualified for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Paraguay, who beat Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay 2-0, are third, level on points with Ecuador.

Ecuador knew a win would take them close to qualification, and the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil was at capacity. However, the home side suffered a pre-match blow when goalkeeper Hernan Galindez pulled a muscle during the warm-up. His replacement, Gonzalo Valle, was hastily summoned to make his debut.

Valle’s nerves appeared to settle when he saved a shot from Vinicius Jr., who had been set up by Gerson following a turnover. Chances were few in a match where neither side could gain control of midfield. The pattern continued after the break, with Ecuador struggling to create opportunities without their injured striker and talisman, Enner Valencia.

Real Madrid star Vinicius was subdued for much of the game, and with Rodrygo absent, Brazil also lacked attacking impetus. Their best chance came in the 75th minute when Vinicius broke down the left and passed to Casemiro, but the Manchester United midfielder’s tame effort was easily saved by Valle.

Vinicius, who played under Ancelotti at Madrid, stressed the need for patience. “I’m very happy to have Ancelotti here with us, because I’ve always said he’s the best coach I’ve ever worked with. Having the opportunity to work with him in the Brazilian national team is the best,” the winger told SporTV. “He hasn’t had time to show his work, his game plan, because he’s only had two or three days of training,” he added.

Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez gave Argentina the lead at the Estadio Nacional in the 16th minute with a neat finish after being set up by Thiago Almada. Lionel Messi came on as a substitute in the 57th minute, but Chile began to create more chances as the game progressed. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made some important saves, and Lucas Cepeda came closest with a shot that hit the crossbar. Cepeda then missed the best chance of the game, volleying wide from the back post.

Messi set up Giuliano Simeone with a chance to make it 2-0, but the son of former Argentina captain and Atletico Madrid coach Diego shot into the side netting. A header from midfielder Matías Galarza 13 minutes into the game and a late penalty from Julio Enciso earned Paraguay a vital victory over a weakened Uruguay. The win leaves Paraguay on the cusp of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since the 2010 finals in South Africa. A victory against Brazil in Sao Paulo on Tuesday would guarantee their place.

The top six teams in the 10-team qualifying group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will enter the inter-confederation playoffs.

With AFP Inputs