Brazil is "on the right track to reach their best level by the 2026 World Cup," according to their Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after a 1-1 friendly draw with Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday.
Three days after a 2-0 friendly win over Senegal in London, Brazil could not repeat their winning form in Lille despite the ongoing brilliance of rising talent Estêvão. The 18-year-old Chelsea winger equalized for five-time world champions from a penalty kick in the 44th minute, responding to Tunisia’s opening goal by Hazem Mestouri in the 23rd minute.
Substitute Lucas Paquetá missed a second penalty that could have given Brazil the win, awarded after a foul by Ferjani Sassi on Vitinha in the 76th minute.
The match also saw defender Éder Militão (27) leave the field after about an hour, replaced by Fabrício Bruno. Militão had missed much of the previous season due to a right knee ACL tear.
Ancelotti, 66, said, "We played a very good match against Senegal, and today was a much tougher game against Tunisia." He added Tunisia is very difficult to break down due to their deep defensive block and praised the "high intensity" and "excellent defensive level" of the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia’s coach Sami Trabelsi urged his players to "maintain this mentality against all opponents, not just Brazil." The 57-year-old said, "Next time, I hope we win against Brazil. Small details prevented that today."
Tunisia, like Brazil, have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. They now prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
This friendly signifies both Brazil's positive form under Ancelotti and Tunisia's growing competitiveness on the international stage.
