Brazil Stunned by Norway in Round of 16
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that defeat is part of the game after his five-time world champion side suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The result marked Brazil's earliest exit from the tournament since 1990.
"I think we did a solid job, but that's football for you, that's sports. Sometimes you have to taste defeat," Ancelotti told reporters, as per Reuters, following the match at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Missed Penalty Proves Costly
Brazil had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Kristoffer Ajer was penalized for a foul on Matheus Cunha after a VAR review. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort comfortably saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Ancelotti explained that the decision to hand Guimaraes the penalty duties was based on statistical analysis. "According to that, Neymar was the best person to take the penalty, and then Raphinha, and then Bruno. So we chose him as we felt he was the best on the field," he said. Neither Neymar nor Raphinha started the match; Neymar was introduced after the second-half hydration break to a huge ovation.
Haaland Double Sinks Brazil
Norway broke the deadlock in the 79th minute when substitute Andreas Schjelderup delivered a pinpoint cross for Erling Haaland to head home. Haaland added a second with a composed left-footed finish, sealing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Neymar converted a stoppage-time penalty after Leo Ostigard fouled Casemiro, but the goal came too late to alter the outcome.
Ancelotti Calls for Rebuilding
Looking ahead, Ancelotti admitted Brazil must rebuild. "We need some young talent, we need some high-level players coming into Brazilian football," he said, adding that the team would continue to "look for new ideas."
Historic Win for Norway
Norway's victory secured the Scandinavians a first-ever World Cup quarter-final berth. For Brazil, the defeat marked a seventh consecutive knockout-stage loss to European opposition and their first failure to reach the last eight since the 1990 World Cup.
