Carlo Ancelotti's debut as Brazil's coach concluded with a goalless draw against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier held in Guayaquil on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The match, anticipated as a fresh start for the Seleção under the experienced Italian manager, ultimately offered few scoring opportunities and left fans wanting more.

The game took place at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, where Ecuador and Brazil battled for crucial points in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign. Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the 90 minutes, resulting in a stalemate that did little to satisfy either side. Ecuador, with the draw, edged closer to a direct World Cup spot, holding second place in the round-robin competition with 24 points. Meanwhile, Brazil sits in fourth place with 22 points. The top six teams in South America will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Ancelotti's first lineup featured Alisson in goal, a defense comprising Alex Sandro, Ribeiro, Marquinhos, and Vanderson. The midfield consisted of Gerson, Casemiro, and Guimarães, while Vinícius Júnior, Richarlison, and Estêvão led the attack. Despite the presence of talented players, Brazil's attack lacked cohesion and decisive power, failing to convert promising opportunities into goals.

Vinícius Júnior, who played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, acknowledged the limited preparation time the coach had with the team. "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," Vinícius 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."

Brazil noticeably missed Raphinha, who was unavailable for the match. The team struggled to find their rhythm in the final third, with only two shots on target throughout the game. One of Brazil's best opportunities came in the 76th minute when Vinícius Júnior set up Casemiro, but his shot was easily saved.

While Ancelotti will likely be pleased with the clean sheet, the lack of urgency and creativity in Brazil's attack will be a concern. The team's over-reliance on Vinícius Júnior was evident, and they struggled when he was tightly marked by the Ecuadorian defense.

The result has prompted mixed reactions, with some observers noting that Ancelotti needs more time to implement his ideas and that the team missed key players. Others have been more critical, pointing out the lack of cohesion and attacking threat.

Brazil will face Paraguay on Tuesday, June 10, and Ancelotti will be hoping for a much-improved performance as they continue their World Cup qualifying campaign. Paraguay moved into third spot in the standings with 24 points after a 2-0 home win over Uruguay.