Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended on Sunday with a 2-1 defeat to Norway, but manager Carlo Ancelotti insists the setback heralds the start of a “new cycle” for the national team. The five-time champions were eliminated from the tournament after Erling Haaland inspired Norway’s comeback victory, despite Ancelotti’s side dominating for long periods.
Speaking at a press conference via Gazzetta, Ancelotti acknowledged the disappointment shared by players and supporters. “It’s obvious we are all deeply saddened,” he said. “Perhaps the team wasn’t playing a spectacular World Cup, but our tournament was certainly good, and we deserved to win today.”
Penalty decision explained
The turning point arrived early in the match when Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty with the score at 0-0. The miss proved costly as Haaland’s intervention after 70 minutes decided the contest.
Ancelotti revealed that Guimaraes was not the first-choice taker. “Before the match, we conducted a statistical analysis,” the Italian explained. “The best was Raphinha, then Neymar, then Igor Thiago. None of those three were on the pitch. Among those playing, Bruno Guimaraes was the best, and he took it.”
The manager defended his tactical approach, noting that Brazil had controlled the match for 70 minutes after choosing not to press high against Norway’s counter-attacking threat. “Today we didn’t deserve to lose,” he maintained, though he conceded that “the opponent must also be considered in the equation – a rival with excellent players who made the difference.”
Manager commits to new era
Despite the elimination, Ancelotti confirmed he will not resign. The Italian signed a new contract running until 2030 immediately before the tournament began, and he views the defeat as a foundation for future success rather than an ending.
“This defeat marks the first step of this national team’s new cycle,” Ancelotti stated. “For me, it’s a disappointing result and a great sense of sadness, but it also leaves a truly valuable experience: an excellent working group.”
He praised the squad’s atmosphere and highlighted the blend of youth and experience within the current setup. “We already have an interesting group of young players, strong not-so-young players, and veterans who can continue,” he added. “Now we must manage this great sadness and, from tomorrow, start thinking about the future.”