<figure id="attachment_3077921" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3077921" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3077921" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/6e6fe9f4-brazil-football-ap-060625.webp" alt="Brazil football AP 060625" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3077921" class="wp-caption-text">Brazil remain in fourth place with 22 points in South America&#8217;s World Cup qualifying group. (AP pic)</figcaption></figure>
GUAYAQUIL: Carlo Ancelotti got off to a disappointing start as Brazil coach in today&#8217;s South American World Cup qualifiers, drawing 0-0 against runners-up Ecuador, putting the Italian manager under considerable pressure.
Brazil were unable to break down Ecuador&#8217;s organised defence and had few chances in the first half, the clearest coming from a Vinicius Junior attempt assisted by Gerson that was saved by goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle.
Ecuador threatened in the second half when John Yeboah attempted a through ball, but striker Nilson Angulo was caught offside.
Ancelotti&#8217;s side created more chances, but failed to capitalise, with Richarlison squandering a well-placed pass from Vinicius Junior in the box and Casemiro&#8217;s powerful long-range shot being saved by Valle.
The result leaves Ecuador closer to qualifying as they remain in second place with 24 points.
The top six qualify directly for next year&#8217;s World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
They face ninth-placed Peru on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Brazil remain in fourth place with 22 points; they face next third-placed Paraguay, who won 2–0 against Uruguay earlier.

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