Brazil head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has described his side’s heartbreaking FIFA World Cup exit against Norway as the beginning of a new chapter, insisting the disappointment will motivate the team to come back stronger.
Brazil’s hopes of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title ended on Sunday after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The South Americans missed an early opportunity to take control when Bruno Guimarães failed to convert a penalty, before Erling Haaland struck twice late in the game to seal Norway’s victory.
Neymar scored from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it proved to be only a consolation.
Reflecting on the defeat, Ancelotti admitted the result was difficult to accept but maintained that Brazil had shown encouraging signs throughout the tournament.
“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 said after the 2-1 loss at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The former club manager, who took charge of Brazil just over a year ago with the mission of ending the country’s long World Cup drought, urged patience as the team continues its rebuilding process.
“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,” added Ancelotti, who was appointed just over a year ago and charged with the task of guiding Brazil to a record-extending sixth World Cup.
Despite speculation following the elimination, the 67-year-old, whose contract runs until the 2030 World Cup, ruled out stepping aside.
“I don’t think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle,” the 67-year-old insisted.
“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.”
The defeat means Brazil’s wait for another World Cup triumph will continue beyond 28 years, with their last success coming in 2002. It also marks the Seleção’s earliest World Cup elimination since they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Argentina in 1990.
Looking ahead, Ancelotti vowed to keep working on improving the national team.
“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 added.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior, who finished the tournament with four goals, expressed his disappointment after the defeat.
“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,” said 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.”
