Depth Delivers as Brazil Outlasts Croatia 3-1 in Orlando

Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on 1 April 2026 offered Carlo Ancelotti a reassuring look at his depth options heading toward the summer. The Selecão controlled long stretches and, when Croatia threatened late, the Brazilian bench delivered the decisive response.

Brazil dictated the tempo in the opening period despite Casemiro’s yellow card in the 45th minute. Their pressure finally told in the second minute of first-half stoppage time (45+2) when Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira arrived in the penalty area to steer in Vinícius Júnior’s cut-back, a move born from persistent work on the left flank.

Zlatko Dalić reshaped Croatia just before the hour, introducing Nikola Moro, Petar Musa, Mario Pašalić, and Marin Pongračić for Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramarić, Luka Modrić, and Duje Ćaleta-Car. Ancelotti countered on 61 minutes by sending on Danilo Luiz da Silva for Roger Ibañez and bringing Fabinho in for Casemiro, ensuring Brazil retained control of midfield traffic after Modrić’s exit.

Fresh legs kept arriving. Igor Thiago and Gabriel Martinelli replaced João Pedro and Vinícius Júnior in the 67th minute, while Kaiki, Endrick, Rayan, and Andrey Santos entered on 76 minutes to spell Douglas Santos, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, and Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira. Croatia earned a foothold when Lovro Majer converted Toni Fruk’s pass in the 84th minute, shortly after Luka Vušković had been booked for a rough challenge at 82 minutes.

The response from Ancelotti’s youngsters was immediate. Igor Thiago won and converted an 88th-minute penalty, and in the second minute of stoppage time Endrick slipped Martinelli through for the finish that confirmed the victory. Endrick’s direct running stretched a tiring Croatian defence, while Fabinho’s anchoring role after replacing Casemiro limited Croatia’s ability to play between the lines following Modrić’s withdrawal.

Croatia’s frustration showed in early bookings for Ivan Perišić (22’) and Ćaleta-Car (28’) as Luiz Henrique’s wing play kept them retreating. The visitors will welcome the spark Majer and Fruk provided but must tidy the defensive transitions that Brazil repeatedly exploited. Ancelotti, meanwhile, can point to meaningful competition for attacking roles as Brazil fine-tune their squad for the next set of friendlies.

Key statistics

• Goals: Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira 45+2 (Brazil), Lovro Majer 84 (Croatia), Igor Thiago 88 penalty (Brazil), Gabriel Martinelli 90+2 (Brazil)
• Bookings: Ivan Perišić 22 (Croatia), Duje Ćaleta-Car 28 (Croatia), Casemiro 45 (Brazil), Luka Vušković 82 (Croatia)
• Notable substitutions:
  • Croatia 60’: Nikola Moro, Petar Musa, Mario Pašalić, Marin Pongračić on
  • Brazil 61’: Danilo Luiz da Silva, Fabinho on
  • Brazil 67’: Igor Thiago, Gabriel Martinelli on
  • Brazil 76’: Kaiki, Endrick, Rayan, Andrey Santos on
  • Croatia 82’: Toni Fruk, Ivan Smolčić on

Brazil now head into their closing World Cup tune-ups with momentum, while Croatia must recalibrate their bench hierarchy before finalising the May call-up list. For more on this international window, check Soldier Field stalemate keeps Mexico’s tune-up on hold.