Among the top guns, Portugal moved up to fifth, pushing Brazil down a spot, while Italy re-entered the top ten.

It is the first time Brazil have failed to reach 30 points since the format began in 1996.

Paqueta and Guimaraes struck in quick succession late in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

His return to boyhood club Santos has not been a bed of roses either.

Neymar, once seen as the next big phenomenon coming out of Brazil, has fallen by the wayside due to recurring injury problems. 

Perhaps most importantly, this club-level surge offers hope for their national team, record five-time world champions.

Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said that his unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset.

At 65, the Italian star manager, who has five Champions League titles under his belt, is taking the reins of a national team for the first time.

“He never offends anyone,” Ze Maria continued. “Even when he gets angry, he doesn’t cross that line. That earns you respect.”

The former defender knows Ancelotti well after they shared two seasons at Real Madrid.

According to Globo Esporte, the Santos icon has been included in Brazil’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, even though he has not featured for club or country since suffering a fresh injury on April 16 against Atlético Mineiro.

"If we changed four coaches in less than three years, something isn't working (...) In my opinion, Ancelotti was brought in to get results, so we have to help him," said Dunga, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and former coach of the national team.

Widely considered the greatest female footballer of all time, the number 10 last wore the Brazil jersey in the Olympic final, losing 1-0 to the United States on August 10 in Paris.

Brazil wants to reclaim its crown. Ancelotti wants one final masterpiece. The timing may be perfect.

Brazil are now expected to pursue Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus.

The veteran Italian has one more year on his contract with the Spanish giants but after quarter-final Champions League elimination by Arsenal and Copa del Rey defeat by rivals Barcelona, is poised to depart the Santiago Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti had long been seen as the ideal candidate, but the Italian legend reaffirmed his commitment to Real Madrid until 2026. That opens the door to a new round of speculation. Al Hilal’s Jorge Jesus leads the shortlist, while Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira, another Portuguese tactician with Brazilian experience, is also in contention.

“We have to rethink everything we’ve been doing, because the demands will come; the people want us to win,” he said.

The five-times world champions had taken a sixth-minute lead in Brasilia through a Raphinha penalty only for Luis Diaz's fine 41st-minute strike for Colombia to level the game.

"South American football has grown a lot overall. If you look at the majority of the national line-ups, you see players playing in teams all over the world, which wasn't the case until recently," he said.