Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil was held to a disappointing 1-1 friendly draw by Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday as its stuttering build-up to the 2026 World Cup continued.
In-form 18-year-old Estevao scored a penalty, but Lucas Paqueta squandered an opportunity to win the game for the Selecao from the spot.
The five-time world champion is heading into next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada under a bit of a cloud after only finishing fifth in South American qualifying.
It also slipped to a 3-2 friendly loss to Japan last month.
Brazil coach Ancelotti named a strong side, including four forwards — Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Estevao — in his starting XI.
But Tunisia took a surprise lead midway through the first half when Ali Abdi’s brilliant pass found Hazem Mastouri, and the Dynamo Makhachkala striker kept his composure to slip the ball beyond onrushing Brazil goalkeeper Bento.
But Brazil was awarded a penalty by VAR for handball shortly before half-time, much to the disappointment of the thousands of Tunisian fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Estevao, who also scored on Saturday against Senegal, stepped up to net his fifth international goal.
AS IT HAPPENED: BRA VS TUN HIGHLIGHTS
Brazil was given another penalty with 12 minutes remaining, but substitute Paqueta took over spot-kick duties from Estevao and smashed his effort over the crossbar.
Brazil thought it should have been awarded a third penalty in the 89th minute when Estevao went down, but the referee stuck with his original decision to wave play on despite a VAR review.
Elsewhere in international friendlies, Sadio Mane scored a first-half hat-trick as Senegal thrashed Kenya 8-0, while African champions the Ivory Coast bounced back from a loss to Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 win over Oman.
Saudi Arabia was beaten 2-0 at home by Algeria, with Riyad Mahrez on the scoresheet, as 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco ran out 4-0 winners over Uganda.
Uzbekistan, which will make its World Cup debut next year, had Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov sent off in a goalless draw with Iran.
Published on Nov 19, 2025