Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland, Ohio, as Carlo Ancelotti wrapped up the pre-World Cup window with another win and a reminder that his depth chart is full of solutions. The 4-3-3 he trusted from the start delivered a seventh-minute opener through Bruno Guimarães, only for Hossam Hassan’s 4-2-3-1 to answer four minutes later via Mostafa Ziko. The first half stayed edgy: Marquinhos collected a yellow card in the 22nd minute, Wesley’s night ended in the 17th minute with Danilo sent on, and Brazil’s rhythm looked short of the control Ancelotti has been preaching.
The reset arrived at the interval. Ancelotti made eight changes over the break, essentially flipping the entire structure while keeping the same shape. Endrick replaced Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha came on for Vinícius Júnior, Luiz Henrique for Lucas Paquetá, Fabinho for Casemiro, Léo Pereira and Bremer for Roger Ibañez and Marquinhos, Danilo Santos de Oliveira for Bruno Guimarães, plus Weverton between the posts. Within six minutes the plan paid off: Raphinha, one of the holdovers, found Endrick, who scored in the 52nd minute, restoring the lead and tilting the evening decisively Brazil’s way before the winger made way for Gabriel Martinelli in the 71st minute.
Egypt’s bench reaction was just as aggressive. Hossam Hassan introduced Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Abdelmonem at the restart, then reshaped his right flank as Mohamed Hany collected a 43rd-minute booking and departed in the 75th minute alongside Ahmed Fatouh and Mohanad Lasheen. Even so, the visitors were limited to four attempts all night. Omar Marmoush battled until the 85th minute before Hamza Abdelkarim was thrown on, but the supply line never truly returned after Endrick’s goal.
Brazil’s defence, now anchored by Bremer and Léo Pereira, managed game state with minimal fuss and Weverton was asked to make just one save. Danilo’s early introduction shored up the right-back slot, while Fabinho and Danilo Santos de Oliveira offered cleaner possession phases than the first-half double pivot managed. Ancelotti wanted a smoother second half and got it.
For Egypt, this was a disciplined outing defensively but one reliant on Brazilian mistakes to threaten. Salah’s cameo could not alter the tempo, leaving Zizo and Ibrahim Adel to chase a late equaliser that never materialised. Hossam Hassan leaves Ohio with resilience but also with a dossier on how limited his attack looked once Mostafa Ziko exited in the 76th minute.
Key Numbers
- Shots on target: Brazil 7, Egypt 2
- Total shots: Brazil 12, Egypt 4
- Possession: Brazil 53 percent, Egypt 47 percent
- Corner kicks: Brazil 5, Egypt 3
- Yellow cards: Marquinhos (22nd minute), Mohamed Hany (43rd minute)
Brazil move on to the final stretch of World Cup preparation with Endrick’s claim for a bigger role crystallising, while Ancelotti’s rotation map looks clearer ahead of the next camp. Egypt regroup before continental qualification resumes, seeking sharper service for Salah and Omar Marmoush. For more on the night’s international slate, check Argentina vs Honduras and Curaçao vs Aruba. Updates to follow as both squads confirm their final summer schedules.
