Brazil held to 1-1 draw by Tunisia as Paquetá misses late penalty in Lille

Brazil stumbles in Lille with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tunisia. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad fails to close out 2025 with a win. Lucas Paquetá misses a crucial penalty in the 78th minute. The Seleção creates 22 shots but converts just one from 18-year-old Estevão.

Brazil’s Struggles Mount in Final 2025 Friendly

Brazil ends their international calendar on a disappointing note. Carlo Ancelotti watches his team dominate possession but fail to convert chances. Tunisia defends brilliantly at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in front of 50,000 fans.
Hazem Mastouri shocks the favorites early in the game. The striker finishes a rapid counter-attack past goalkeeper Bento. Wesley loses possession near the halfway line. Ali Abdi delivers a precise through-ball for the opening goal.

“It was an order that came. I supported my team-mate so he could score the goal. Unfortunately, he missed, but he held his head high.”

Brazil struggles to break down Tunisia’s defensive structure. Vinicius Junior remains largely invisible in the first half. Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha create limited threats going forward.

Chelsea Prodigy Salvages Draw Before Halftime

VAR intervenes in the 44th minute after reviewing a handball. Dylan Bronn handles the ball during a challenge with Éder Militão. The referee points to the penalty spot after the video review.
Estevão steps up confidently for his fifth international goal. The Chelsea winger fires high into the right corner. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen dives the wrong way completely. The 18-year-old continues his sensational breakthrough season for club and country.
Ancelotti makes tactical adjustments at halftime seeking more attacking threat. Danilo and Vitor Roque replace Wesley and Cunha. The substitutions provide immediate impact with better attacking presence.
Brazil presses higher in the second half but lacks precision. Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães control the midfield with 88% pass accuracy. The final third execution remains the persistent problem throughout.

Paquetá Miss Costs Brazil Victory

Tunisia commits a clumsy foul in the 78th minute during defensive pressure. Ferjani Sassi drags down Vitor Roque inside the penalty area. The referee awards Brazil’s second penalty of the match immediately.
Paquetá takes over penalty duties from Estevão following team orders. The West Ham midfielder blazes his left-footed shot high over the crossbar. The miss proves costly as Tunisia survives the late pressure.
Estevão nearly wins it in stoppage time with a dangerous effort. The teenager strikes the base of the post with the last kick. Brazil appeals for a third penalty that gets waved away.

What This Means for World Cup Preparations

Brazil finishes 2025 with mixed results under Ancelotti. The team won three games but also suffered disappointing draws. Questions persist about converting dominant performances into victories.
World Cup 2026 arrives in just seven months for the tournament. Brazil hasn’t won the trophy since 2002 in Japan. The 24-year drought weighs heavily on the national team.
Ancelotti faces pressure to find the right attacking combinations quickly. Vinicius Junior continues struggling to replicate club form internationally. The Real Madrid star needs to step up significantly.
Estevão’s emergence provides genuine optimism for the future ahead. The teenager shows composure beyond his years in high-pressure situations. His chemistry with senior players develops with each appearance.

Key Areas Brazil Must Address

Clinical finishing remains the most glaring weakness in attack. Brazil created 22 shots but only converted one penalty. Elite teams punish opponents when dominating possession like this.
Defensive vulnerabilities on the left flank exposed repeatedly tonight. Wesley’s poor touch led directly to Tunisia’s opening goal. Caio Henrique offered better balance but still struggled defensively.
Penalty conversion could prove crucial in knockout tournament situations. Missing from the spot against weaker opposition raises concerns. Brazil needs a reliable designated taker moving forward.
Vinicius integration with the national team system requires urgent attention. The superstar forward looked disconnected from teammates throughout both halves. Ancelotti must unlock his potential before June 2026.

Can Ancelotti Turn Brazil Into Champions?

Ancelotti brings unmatched club success but faces unique international challenges. He’s won five Champions League titles and every major European league. Managing a national team presents different tactical and preparation constraints.
Brazil qualified for World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay. The team finished fifth in South American qualifying under previous management. Ancelotti inherited a squad lacking confidence and tactical identity.
The legendary manager emphasizes defensive solidity alongside attacking creativity. Brazil conceded just two goals against Senegal and Tunisia. The attacking output needs improvement to challenge for the title.
Youth integration accelerates under Ancelotti’s progressive approach to squad building. Estevão thrives alongside veterans Casemiro and Marquinhos. The blend of experience and youthful energy shows promise.
Can Brazil end their 24-year trophy drought under foreign management? Ancelotti becomes the first non-Brazilian coach in 111-year history. The appointment signals desperation but also ambition from the federation.

Sources

• beIN Sports – Match report and player analysis from Lille
• ESPN – Match statistics and tournament context
• Fox Sports – Player ratings and tactical breakdown

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.