Brazil 1-1 Tunisia: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Lucas Paqueta penalty miss costs Carlo Ancelotti chance of victory

Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia in France on Tuesday in an international friendly despite the fact they had the chance to win the game from a late penalty kick.

Tunisia took the lead at the midway point of the first half, with Hazem Mastouri excellently controlling a cross from Ali Abdi in the box following a counter-attack, before he placed his effort past goalkeeper Bento Krepski.

Selecao managed to get back on level terms when Chelsea's Estevao Willian netted a penalty just before the interval after Matheus Cunha was held in the box.

The second half saw Brazil dominate, but they missed out on the chance to win the game 12 minutes from time, when Lucas Paqueta missed a spot kick of his own.

Each side had to settle for a stalemate, and the draw means Brazil have failed to win three of their past five fixtures, whereas Tunisia are unbeaten in six matches.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Carlo Ancelotti will be expected to improve significantly upon the team's quarter-final exits at the previous two World Cups, but they will have to be more threatening in the final third than they were on Tuesday.

The Italian proved at Real Madrid that he is able to navigate the difficulties that come with managing a star-studded dressing room, and his knockout record at club level has been consistently excellent, but it remains to be seen how well he performs at this summer's tournament.

Though the match would have been good preparation for Tunisia ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, they may be asked different questions at AFCON considering Tuesday's game was against a possession-dominant side.

The Eagles of Carthage should nevertheless be delighted that they demonstrated the resilience needed to hold on, a trait that could prove valuable at AFCON.

BRAZIL VS. TUNISIA HIGHLIGHTS

23rd min: Brazil 0-1 Tunisia (Hazem Mastouri)

Wesley loses possession near the halfway line, and the right-back's error in possession allows Tunisia's Ali Abdi to counter down the left before the defender whips in a cross to Mastouri, who takes a touch inside the box before finishing into the left side of the net.

A deadly counter-attack!

38th min: Rodrygo (Brazil) shot

Rodrygo earns a free kick after being fouled by Ferjani Sassi, and the Real Madrid man takes the set piece himself, seeing his effort head towards the right of the net only for goalkeeper to Dahmen to tip it around the post.

So close to the equaliser!

44th min: Brazil 1-1 Tunisia (Estevao Willian)

Matheus Cunha wins a penalty via an intervention from VAR after being held in the box, and Chelsea's Estevao fires the ball high into the right corner.

What a strike!

78th min: Lucas Paqueta (Brazil) penalty miss

Sassi fouls Vitor Roque in the box, but Paqueta's stuttering shot flies over the crossbar, and Brazil miss the chance to take the lead.

A horrible miss!

MAN OF THE MATCH - ALI ABDI

Ali Abdi was key for Tunisia, with the defender rampaging forward before delivering an excellent cross to Mastouri for the game's opener.

The 31-year-old also made six defensive contributions, the third most of any player, and he helped to relieve pressure in moments when his side regained possession.

BRAZIL VS. TUNISIA MATCH STATS

Possession: Brazil 74%-26% Tunisia

Shots: Brazil 22-7 Tunisia

Shots on target: Brazil 3-2 Tunisia

Corners: Brazil 7-1 Tunisia

Fouls: Brazil 12-15 Tunisia

WHAT NEXT?

The next international break for Brazil will be in March, and until then Ancelotti will be busy trying to formulate plans for a starting XI ahead of World Cup 2026.

As for Tunisia, they will face Qatar on December 7 in the Arab Cup, before then taking on Uganda in their first group game of the Africa Cup of Nations on December 23.