Carlo Ancelotti's tenure with Brazil got off to an uninspired start as Vinicius Jr failed to play hero and the Selecao stumbled to a disappointing 0-0 draw with Ecuador in World Cup qualifying.
Ancelotti's side struggled for rhythm during the Italian manager's highly-anticipated first fixture in charge, as Brazil were solid defensively in the first half and heavily reliant on the magic of Vinicius Jr to make things happen. But the Real Madrid winger couldn't find his footing early on, running into double and triple teams and struggling to connect with an otherwise workmanlike midfield. He had an effort well saved from a tight angle shortly before half-time.
Neither team seemed much more inclined to make something happen after the break, either. Three points here might have sealed World Cup qualification for Ecuador - depending on other results - but at times, with dogged defending and cautious attacking, they looked happy to settle for one point. Not that the visitors were much better. Brazil are a team who have been lacking in ideas for months, and it showed once again. Vinicius was the only real attacking outlet, and even with youngster Estevao Willian being handed an unexpected start, the team failed to do much with it.
Tellingly, defensive midfielder Casemiro had the best chance of them all midway through the second half, a tame strike that simply rolled into the arms of the goalkeeper. This had been that kind of game, full of intensity but devoid of quality. Still, for Ancelotti, a clean sheet and a point on the road edges his side one step closer to qualification for 2026.
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