Kolkata | India fought gallantly for initial 25 minutes but five-time champions Brazil showed the vast gulf between the teams with a neatly executed 4-0 win in their FIFA international friendly here on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti's new-look side, which is in a rebuilt mode post their pre-quarterfinal exit in the World Cup 2026, largely played within themselves without injecting much pace in their historic friendly.
India, backed by a crowd that swelled to 51,402, had their moments in the first 25 minutes but were unable to find the goal.
Estevao (28th minute), Pedro (42nd) and Samuel Lino (58th, 90+5th) scored for the South Americans, who controlled the game without hitting top gear.
Coming off a gritty 1-1 draw against 44th-ranked Panama, India quickly found themselves up against an opposition, who played at a vastly different level.
Yet, Khalid Jamil’s side competed with them.
Jamil made two changes from the Panama game, bringing in experienced midfielders Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad for Apuia and Ricky Shabong.
Thapa made an immediate impact, clearing a dangerous low cross after Vinicius Jr was sent clear on the left in the second minute.
The intervention drew a huge cheer from the home crowd.
India continued to frustrate Brazil in the early stages as Manvir Singh provided an outlet on the left, while Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan looked to exploit space on the counter.
Manvir had a chance to break clear, only for Marquinhos to make a crucial recovery run and take the ball away.
At the other end, Vinicius was Brazil’s main threat and the Real Madrid star twice tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, including with a shot after dancing past Abhishek Singh, but the Indian goalkeeper was equal to the first effort.
Ancelotti had made several changes to the side with Pedro Morisco replacing usual goalkeeper and Mauro Junior, while Gabriel Bontempo, Andrey Santos and Matheuzinho were among those given a chance.
Vinicius, Pedro and Estevao formed the front three in a 4-3-3 formation.
The breakthrough finally came when Estevao picked up the ball on the edge of the box, twisted past Ashique and fired towards the near post. Gurpreet got a hand to the powerful kick but could not keep it out, letting in an easy goal.
The Indian captain, making his 90th appearance, continued his dismal show as the hosts' bright opening gradually faded.
Brazil began finding more space and Pedro soon hit the post with a header.
The second goal arrived with another half-hearted effort from Gurpreet. Estevao spotted Pedro’s run behind the Indian defence and picked him out.
Pedro’s shot appeared to be within Gurpreet’s reach, but the ball squirmed under his palm into the net.
India went into the break two goals down. After the resumption, Jamil replaced Gurpreet under the bar, giving a debut to East Bengal's Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
Brazil also made several changes after the restart, with Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Magalhaes and Vanderson coming on before Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli and Douglas Luiz.
India did have their moments in the second half too. Manvir held off Marquinhos and forced a save from Pedro Morisco with a shot from a tight angle.
Williams then broke down the left and saw his effort cleared off the line. But Brazil punished another Indian mistake in the 58th minute.
A loose pass from Bijoy allowed Samuel Lino to race into the box from the left and curl a superb finish into the bottom corner.
He then completed a brace cutting in from the edge of the box and fired a low, powerful shot towards the near post that slipped through Gill’s outstretched hand.
Brazil could have added more. Endrick created a chance almost immediately after coming on, cutting the ball back for Guimaraes, whose shot was blocked.
India also survived another dangerous move when Bruno played a through ball for Breno Bidon, although the flag went up for offside.
India kept pushing for a consolation goal but in vain.
Williams combined with Manvir on one promising attack, and the latter also fired in to the post from a narrow angle but the shot went wide.
Brazil’s defence too remained comfortable, and the visitors eventually sealed the win.
Brazilian head coach Carlo Ancelotti was impressed by India’s "organised" defense and counter-attacking approach but said his team found it "easier" to control the game after breaking the deadlock in its 4-0 win in the historic football friendly here on Saturday.
Playing under muggy conditions with a rejigged side, the five-time world champions had to navigate some anxious moments in the first 27 minutes before Estevao (28th), Pedro (42nd) and Samuel Lino (58th, 90+5) secured a comfortable win over world No. 138 India.
“They defended, they were organised, they tried to play counter-attack. I think they played a good game,” Ancelotti said of India in the post-match interaction.
The Italian great felt the opening goal changed the complexion of the contest.
“We had difficulty to open the score but the moment we opened the score with Estevao, we had more opportunity to control better the game,” he said.
Ancelotti was pleased with Brazil’s clean sheet but admitted there was still work to do defensively, particularly with a new-look backline playing together for the first time.
“We defended well. We could have defended better. It was a new defence that never played together, so it could be that not everything was perfect.”
The match was part of Brazil’s rebuilding phase following their pre-quarterfinal exit at the World Cup. After drawing 1-1 with Australia and winning the return fixture 4-2, Ancelotti used the three-match FIFA window to look closely at younger players.
“It was a test,” he said. “Now it’s a moment for us to give an opportunity to the young, to be part of the squad, to know — and for us to know — if they have the quality to be part of the national team in the future.”
Ancelotti also had a message for the Kolkata crowd, which turned up in large numbers despite the humid conditions.
“We are happy to be here. We try to do our best,” he said. “We try to show to all the people that love Brazil and love football, to show our best quality. And I hope they enjoy the night.”
Jamil backs Gurpeet
India head coach Khalid Jamil backed goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu after his costly errors.
Gurpreet, making his 90th appearance for India and captaining the side, was replaced at half-time after Brazil scored twice in the opening period.
“It’s not because of Gurpreet, he's one of the finest goalkeepers of the country. The defender didn’t close down, then the ball moved from there as well. So overall, everybody’s mistake,” Jamil said.
Asked whether Gurpreet would return for India’s next friendly against Uruguay, Jamil did not commit to a starting spot but made it clear he still trusted the experienced goalkeeper.
“Maybe Som (Kumar) will play, maybe Albino (Gomes), anyone. Depending on the situation.. But Gurpreet, definitely he will be back.”
Jamil further said India’s players were under pressure simply because of the opposition.
“Definitely their quality, their coach is also good. They’ve played in different clubs. So to manage them, it is very difficult, not an easy job,” he said.
The coach felt India were competitive until the first Brazil goal in the 28th minute.
“Till the water break, I was thinking everything will be fine. Then we scored a silly goal. Then we scored a second goal. So the calculation has changed a little,” he said.
With India facing Uruguay next, Jamil said the team needed more such high-level matches.
On preparing his players to handle the pressure of facing top opposition, Jamil said belief was crucial.
“I just tell them that you are also a talented player. And believe, they must have that belief,” he said. “Everyone is mature. I didn’t waste time in giving them confidence.”
Jamil further revealed that Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti gave him encouragement before signing off from the pitch.
