Ancelotti’s Brazil Beat Australia 4-2 After Seven Changes and a Tactical Switch

Overview

• Brazil defeated Australia 4-2 in Brisbane on Tuesday after Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes to the starting XI and moved from a 4-2-4 to a 4-3-3 formation.
• The revised lineup started Otávio in goal and Gabriel Bontempo in midfield, both making their first appearances of this window and drawing praise for bringing energy and passing into the team.
• Vanderson opened the scoring, Australia briefly led through Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe, and Brazil equalized and then took the lead with goals from Raphinha (penalty), Bruno Guimarães and Vinícius Júnior (penalty).
• Raphinha began centrally as a false nine to mirror his Barcelona role, scored from the spot, but was replaced at half because of a right-thigh discomfort that will be monitored before the next match.
• Despite the win and better midfield control, reports flagged repeated defensive problems on set pieces and shaky performances from backup goalkeepers, issues that will shape Ancelotti’s selection ahead of the final friendly in Calcutta on October 3 and the longer rebuild toward Copa América.