Haaland Sends Norway into Quarter-Finals as Brazil Exits World Cup
Four years ago, Brazil were unfortunate to be eliminated by Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals. Four years before that, they also faced a narrow defeat against Belgium at the same stage. This time, however, Brazil did not reach the quarter-finals, and their loss to Norway was unequivocal and without the element of misfortune.
This outcome represents a significant setback for the Brazilian national team.
Carlo Ancelotti took charge following a 4-1 defeat to Argentina in March of the previous year. During his tenure, he has managed 16 games, securing 10 wins, three draws, and three losses. He revitalized a squad that had struggled during World Cup qualifying, having lost four of five matches before his arrival.
Despite these improvements, the results have fallen short of expectations.
Brazil Requires Major Tactical Revisions, Especially in Midfield
The team now faces the necessity for substantial changes, beginning with the midfield — once a source of strength, creativity, and captivating play. The abandonment of imaginative central midfield strategies has alienated some supporters and contributed to recent defeats. The fact that Norway outpassed Brazil comprehensively during a warm summer afternoon at this World Cup is remarkable and reflects the current squad composition.
Ancelotti’s approach has been heavily influenced by Casemiro, whom he reinstated after 18 months away from international duty. Casemiro’s return brought structural benefits and allowed Bruno Guimaraes to perform well until his early missed penalty against Norway, which could have altered the match’s trajectory.
However, Casemiro’s susceptibility in open spaces was evident, notably in the second minute when Norway had a goal disallowed. Consequently, Brazil adopted a defensive posture, dropping deep and permitting Norway to exchange passes and build confidence.
Additionally, the absence of Lucas Paqueta, injured in the previous round against Japan, was significant. Ancelotti admitted lacking a player with Paqueta’s qualities. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was introduced, which shifted Brazil’s attack towards reliance on rapid, direct counterattacks.
One notable error by Ancelotti was selecting only five midfielders for the squad, a critical oversight. When right-back Wesley was injured during the final warm-up, Ancelotti replaced him with Ederson, a potential Manchester United signing. Both coach and federation share responsibility for this limited midfield depth.
Neymar’s Role and the Squad’s Ageing Challenges
Brazil continues to produce numerous wide strikers but struggles to develop quality midfielders. Neymar’s involvement in this World Cup is a matter of debate and falls largely on Ancelotti. Despite public pressure for Neymar’s inclusion, evidence suggested he was no longer at his peak performance.
Ancelotti had previously stated that Neymar would only be selected if fully deserving and fit, yet he ultimately included him, breaking his own criteria.
In a brief appearance against Scotland, Neymar appeared as a retired player participating in a charity match. His subsequent use in a live game necessitated a tactical reshuffle. Neymar’s limited mobility required positioning him as a centre-forward, pushing Vinicius Jr and Endrick out wide and deeper, away from goal — a suboptimal arrangement. This adjustment exposed the team defensively and allowed Norway to deliver effective service to Erling Haaland, who capitalized on the opportunity.
Neymar scored from the penalty spot but arguably should have been sent off for a reckless kick, a final display of frustration as his international career appears to conclude. In his prime, Neymar was a remarkable talent, bordering on genius, but this tournament marked the end of his era, as it did for many ageing players in the squad.
Following the match, Neymar signaled his retirement from international football:
"I tried, I tried... now it's over! I started here, I finished here," he told Brazilian channel ge tv, referencing his debut at the same New Jersey stadium in a 2010 friendly against the United States.
Looking Ahead: Ancelotti’s Future and Brazil’s Rebuilding
Brazil’s elimination left Neymar in tears, underscoring the emotional weight of the defeat.
"I don't think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle," Ancelotti said after the loss to Norway.
"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.
"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."
The preparations for the 2030 World Cup begin now. Qualification is expected to be straightforward, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay already qualified as hosts, each staging one match as a tribute to the centenary of the World Cup.
Ancelotti holds a long-term contract. The question remains whether he is the right figure to oversee a comprehensive overhaul or whether his strengths lie in incremental adjustments. While he has achieved success across Europe, replicating that with Brazil has proven elusive. Whether there will be another opportunity remains uncertain.
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