Brazil’s new era under Carlo Ancelotti began with a goalless draw against a disciplined Ecuador side on Thursday night, as both teams failed to find the breakthrough in a tightly contested 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Quito.
The match was Ancelotti’s first in charge of the Brazilian national team, but it did not produce the kind of attacking football fans had hoped for. Instead, it turned into a cagey tactical battle, with Ecuador once again proving why they are one of the hardest teams to break down in South America.
Ecuador’s defence, led by Pervis Estupiñán and goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle, stood firm throughout the 90 minutes. The result marked their 10th clean sheet in their last 15 qualifiers — a record that underlines their defensive strength. They now sit second in the CONMEBOL qualification standings and are edging closer to confirming their spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brazil, meanwhile, drop to fourth place with this result, trailing Ecuador by two points. Though qualification is still within reach, the draw puts pressure on Ancelotti ahead of their next fixture against Paraguay on June 10.
Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior was Brazil’s most dangerous player on the night. He nearly opened the scoring early in the first half when he capitalised on a defensive mistake by Estupiñán, only to be denied in a one-on-one by Ecuador’s goalkeeper Valle.
Vinicius attempted nine dribbles, successfully completing four, but was ultimately unable to convert his lively performance into a goal. Midfielder Casemiro also came close, forcing Valle into two solid saves with long-range efforts, but Brazil couldn’t find the clinical edge needed to turn pressure into points.
Ecuador, although less dominant in possession, looked sharp on the counter and threatened Brazil’s backline through wide areas and set-pieces. They edged the expected goals (xG) tally 0.46 to Brazil’s 0.38, with their best effort being a long-range strike from Jeremy Yeboah, which Alisson Becker managed to palm away — his only major contribution of the game.
Both sides focused heavily on structure and discipline, limiting space in midfield and cancelling each other out for long stretches. While Brazil tried to play through the centre, Ecuador’s pressing and compact shape forced them wide, where delivery quality was often poor.
For Ancelotti, the performance was not disastrous but certainly showed there’s room for improvement. The Italian tactician, known for his calm approach and tactical intelligence, opted for a more balanced setup, but his forwards struggled to break free from Ecuador’s tight marking.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti noted: “It was a tough game, and Ecuador made things very difficult. We need more time to work together, but I saw effort and commitment from the players.”
The draw moves Ecuador one step closer to qualification. With only a few rounds of qualifiers left, they remain unbeaten at home and are building a reputation as one of the most consistent teams in the region.
Their coach, Félix Sánchez Bas, praised his players for sticking to the game plan. “We knew Brazil would be dangerous, especially on the wings with Vinícius and Raphinha. The team stayed focused, and the clean sheet is a big result for us,” he said.
Brazil return home to face Paraguay in their next qualifier on June 10. With more time to train under Ancelotti, fans will be expecting a stronger attacking display and three points to solidify their qualification campaign.
Ecuador, on the other hand, will travel to take on Peru, needing just one more win to all but guarantee their ticket to the World Cup.
For Brazil, this match served as a reminder that South American qualifiers are never easy. Under Ancelotti, the journey has just begun — and the expectations remain sky-high.
