Brazil's forward #10 Neymar (R) and forward #11 Raphinha (L) react after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
Brazil coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said Sunday’s painful World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Norway should be used as “fuel” for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is “the start of a new cycle.”
“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.
Erling Haaland scored two late goals for Norway in a match which hinged on an early penalty by Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes, which was saved.
Neymar’s successful spot-kick in injury time was scant consolation.
