Brazil returned to winning form in the South American 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday, thanks to a first-half strike by Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
After three consecutive defeats, the five-time World Cup champions did just enough to secure the much-needed three points, lifting them to fourth place in the standings with 10 points. However, the performance left much to be desired, as Brazil continues to struggle to find its rhythm on the pitch.
The win, while welcome, left Brazil eight points adrift of archrivals Argentina, who sit atop the qualifying table, and only two points ahead of Ecuador, who occupy the sixth and final guaranteed spot for the 2026 World Cup. The result came as a relief for the Seleção, who have been under significant pressure following their recent poor form, including a disappointing quarter-final exit from the Copa America against Uruguay.
A Labored Victory
Brazil’s performance against Ecuador was far from convincing. While they controlled possession for large periods of the match, their lack of creativity and cohesion up front made it difficult to break down Ecuador’s resolute defense. Passes were often misplaced, and attacking movements lacked the necessary sharpness and urgency to trouble their opponents. Despite these struggles, Rodrygo’s somewhat fortunate goal in the 29th minute provided the difference.
After testing Ecuador’s goalkeeper with a free-kick earlier in the match, Rodrygo found the back of the net with a deflected shot from the edge of the box. His effort looped off an Ecuadorian defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and bouncing off the post before crossing the line. While the goal was far from Brazil’s finest, it was enough to secure the win.
“We needed this win, doesn’t matter if it was ugly or not,” Rodrygo said in a post-match interview with Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo. “I’m happy with the victory and to have scored, and I hope it helps us to get better and progress to the level we want to reach moving forward.”
Despite the early goal, Brazil continued to struggle in their build-up play and failed to create many clear chances. Ecuador, meanwhile, posed a consistent threat on the counterattack and came close to leveling the score just before half-time. Gabriel Magalhães came to Brazil’s rescue with a crucial goal-line clearance, denying Moises Caicedo’s shot and preserving the narrow lead going into the break.
Second-Half Struggles
The second half saw Brazil’s performance dip even further. The Seleção lacked energy and ideas, with their offensive play becoming increasingly predictable. Vinicius Jr, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise flat display, created the only shot on target for Brazil in the final 45 minutes. His effort, however, was not enough to increase the lead or inspire a better performance from his teammates.
Ecuador, on the other hand, continued to apply pressure, particularly through their hard-working trio of forwards. Their high pressing caused discomfort for Brazil as they struggled to play out from the back, frequently resorting to lateral passes and long-range shots that rarely troubled Ecuador’s defense. Despite their best efforts, Ecuador failed to find the equalizer, and the match ended with Brazil scraping by with a 1-0 win.
The final whistle was met with boos from the Brazilian fans, who were visibly disappointed by their team’s lackluster display. Although the victory was vital in keeping Brazil’s World Cup qualification hopes on track, the performance left many questioning the direction of the team under coach Fernando Diniz.
Brazil will need to improve significantly if they are to secure a comfortable qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Their next test comes against Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday, a match that could prove to be equally challenging if Brazil continues to struggle to find their attacking rhythm.
Ecuador’s Resilience
Despite the defeat, Ecuador can take heart from their performance. They played with discipline and tenacity, particularly in their defensive work. By closing down spaces and applying high pressure, they successfully disrupted Brazil’s build-up play and limited the number of clear chances the Seleção could create.
Ecuador also demonstrated their threat on the counterattack, and with a bit more composure in front of goal, they could have walked away from Bouake with at least a point. Moises Caicedo, in particular, was a standout performer for the visitors, his industrious play in midfield and ability to break forward making him a constant threat.
Ecuador will now turn their attention to their next qualifier, where they will host Peru in Quito on Monday. With only two points separating them from Brazil in the standings, they remain well in contention for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
