Brazil held to friendly draw by Tunisia despite Estevao goal

Brazil, under Carlo Ancelotti, finished in a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Tunisia during a friendly in Lille on Tuesday, as their uneven preparations for the 2026 World Cup persisted.

The promising 18-year-old Estevao converted a penalty, but Lucas Paqueta wasted a late chance to clinch the match for the Selecao from the penalty area.

The team with five World Cup titles approaches the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada with some uncertainty, having placed fifth in South American qualifiers.

They also suffered a 3-2 defeat in a friendly against Japan last month.

Ancelotti, the Brazil manager, selected a robust lineup featuring four attackers, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Estevao, from the outset.

However, Tunisia grabbed an unexpected lead in the middle of the first half, thanks to Ali Abdis precise pass to Hazem Mastouri, who calmly beat the advancing Brazilian keeper Bento for Dynamo Makhachkala.

Brazil earned a penalty via VAR for handball just before the break, annoying the many Tunisian supporters at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Estevao, fresh from scoring against Senegal on Saturday, took the kick and notched his fifth goal for his country.

With 12 minutes left, Brazil received another penalty, but replacement Paqueta assumed the responsibility from Estevao and fired his shot above the bar.

In the 89th minute, Brazil appealed for a third penalty after Estevao fell, yet the official upheld his initial call to continue play, even after VAR checked.

In other friendly internationals, Sadio Mane netted a hat-trick before the interval to help Senegal demolish Kenya 8-0, while the African title holders Ivory Coast recovered from a defeat to Saudi Arabia by beating Oman 2-0.

Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 at home to Algeria, where Riyad Mahrez scored, as the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco secured a 4-0 victory over Uganda.

Uzbekistan, set for their first World Cup appearance next year, saw Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov dismissed in a 0-0 stalemate with Iran.