Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Sunday’s painful World Cup last-16 exit should fuel the team’s future as he declares their disappointing tournament “the start of a new cycle.”
The Brazilian side suffers a 2-1 loss at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to Norway. “Obviously, everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don’t think we have had a spectacular World Cup, but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today,” Ancelotti says after the defeat.
Erling Haaland scores two late goals for Norway in a match that hinges on an early penalty by Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes, which the goalkeeper saves. Neymar’s successful spot-kick in injury time offers scant consolation.
Brazil advances from the group stage with strong performances, defeating Haiti 3-0 and Scotland 3-0 before overcoming Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32.
Vinicius Junior shines throughout the tournament, netting four goals as Brazil plays five matches overall, secures four wins, and exits with at least nine goals scored across the campaign.
“You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve,” adds Ancelotti, who takes charge just over a year ago and aims to guide Brazil to a record-extending sixth World Cup.
The Italian, who holds a contract through the next World Cup in 2030, quickly dismisses any suggestion that he would step down now. “I don’t think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle,” the 67-year-old insists.
“I think with the squad they have, Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today’s game.”
“What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas,” Ancelotti adds.
“I think we have done a good job, but this is football, and this is sport. You just have to deal with it, deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat. I am very much used to this, and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward.”
Star forward Vinicius Junior, who scores four goals during the tournament, calls it “a very sad day.” “Being knocked out of a World Cup is always a huge blow. We still haven’t really analysed the game because of everything a match like this involves, with a World Cup spot on the line, but now we have to move on,” says the Real Madrid player.
“Unfortunately, football is like that; we’re not always going to win. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve won, the people want joy back, but it wasn’t this time.”