Brazil regains its balance

Brazil quickly regained balance after a loss to France by thrashing Croatia 3–1 in a friendly on Tuesday night local time (Wednesday morning GMT).

Match summary

• At Florida Citrus Bowl in the USA, Danilo opened the scoring for Brazil in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half.

• Luka Modrić equalised for Croatia in the 84th minute, but Igor Tavares (often reported as a penalty goal) restored Brazil’s lead in the 89th minute from the spot, before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win with a third goal in the third minute of added time in the second half.

Context and World Cup outlook

• The win restored some confidence for Brazil under veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, after their 2–1 loss to France in the first friendlies of the current international break.

• Both teams are using these matches as key preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, where Brazil will play in Group 3 with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, while Croatia (2018 runner‑up and 2022 third‑place team) joins Group 12 with England, Panama, and Ghana.