Analysis: Brazil improve, but Ancelotti can't ignore warning signs

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·1 de abril de 2026

Analysis: Brazil improve, but Ancelotti can't ignore warning signs

Brazil bounced back from the defeat to France and beat Croatia 3-1 last Tuesday in a World Cup warm-up friendly played in Orlando, United States. The national team showed progress on the pitch, but coach Carlo Ancelotti cannot ignore the messages this FIFA window delivered.

On the field, Brazil played well. In the first half, the team defended effectively and created clear scoring chances, especially down the right flank through Luiz Henrique. The side wasted a few opportunities and kept being denied by goalkeeper Livakovic, but took the lead at the end of the first half through Danilo.

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Brazil sat back too much in the second half and paid the price with a goal conceded in the 38th minute after a collective lapse. However, the team was rewarded for its quick response. About two minutes later, Endrick won a penalty after a good individual play, and Igor Thiago converted the spot kick.

There was still time for Brazil to extend the lead. Endrick once again led a counterattack through the middle and found Gabriel Martinelli, who fired a shot across goal to score the team’s third.

Messages for Ancelotti

This FIFA window sent a few messages to coach Carlo Ancelotti. One of them is Endrick. Even though he came on in the second half and played only 14 minutes, the young striker was decisive and showed he deserves serious consideration for the World Cup.

Midfielder Danilo also made his case. He had already come on well in the friendly against France and once again turned in a strong performance against Croatia, capped by a fine goal. In addition, winger Luiz Henrique, with another good display, also made an impression.

If some proved they deserve to be at the World Cup, others fell short. One example is João Pedro. He was the least involved forward on the pitch and had a game well below expectations.

Brazil’s schedule until the World Cup

This was Brazil’s final test before coach Carlo Ancelotti announces the final squad for the 2026 World Cup. The list will be released on May 18, less than 50 days from now. On the 25th, the group begins preparations for the World Cup at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

The team’s last match on home soil will be on May 31 against Panama at the Maracanã. The delegation will travel to the United States on June 1 and will have one final warm-up before the start of the World Cup, against Egypt in Cleveland on the 6th.

Brazil has been drawn in Group C of the World Cup. The group also includes Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

Brazil will make its debut on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey. Six days later, on June 19, the team faces Haiti in Philadelphia. The Seleção wraps up its group-stage campaign on the 24th against Scotland in Miami.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.