The quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title continues for Brazil after their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16. This loss marks the sixth consecutive tournament where Brazil has failed to clinch the championship, prompting some to dub it the ‘reverse hexa.’
As anticipated, the reaction from fans and experts in Brazil has been harsh. Neto, a former national player turned pundit on Radio Bandeirantes, criticized the current team, stating, “It’s a generation that won fuck all,”
Carlo Ancelotti, who received accolades for his tactics during Brazil’s earlier win against Japan, is also facing scrutiny. Cahê Mota, writing for Globoesporte, noted that Ancelotti’s substitutions in the match against Norway backfired: “There are six players who won one Copa América and that’s it. It was embarrassing from the beginning and everything that happened before that game. It was a shameful campaign and these guys are losers. It’s a generation of lies.”
Mota also lamented a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães, suggesting that it could have changed the game’s trajectory.
“The Seleção are out of the World Cup and Ancelotti’s plan failed. Brazil bet on a booby-trap game: they gave the ball to Norway and bet on a transition at speed. It worked very little. “The penalty missed by Bruno Guimarães would have given the game a different shape, but the Seleção bet big on a style that does not match its tradition and they did not know how to be lethal when they had chances. You can’t even regret it. You can’t say there was injustice. You can’t even say the defeat happened but we played like Brazil.”
The match statistics reveal a worrying trend for Brazil, with only 34% possession against Norway, the lowest recorded since 1966. Mauro Cezar Pereira, a prominent pundit, expressed his disappointment: “It’s shameful to see a Brazil team, which for years has relied on marketing ploys like ‘joga bonito’, having a strategy to give the ball to the opponent and only play in transition,” He described this approach as “The poor quality of Carlo Ancelotti’s work is embarrassing.” and insisted that it would never sit well with Brazilian fans, adding, “That’s what decided the game,”
Calls for Ancelotti’s dismissal have intensified, particularly in light of the Brazilian football association granting him a new four-year contract just months before the World Cup. The handling of Neymar has also sparked debate among fans. Supporters argue that had Neymar started the match, he would have converted the crucial penalty in the first half, potentially altering the outcome.
Conversely, critics believe that introducing Neymar was a mistake that weakened the team. As Mauro put it, “From the moment he entered, Norway had even more possession. They attacked more and built plays until they scored goals. With Neymar, Endrick and Vinícius, Brazil became even weaker in combat, in the fight for possession, and were definitely subjugated by the Norwegians. Suicide.”
Neymar, who earned his first cap in 2010, announced his retirement from international football following the match. “It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over.” he reflected. “It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over.”
Many Brazilian fans are advocating for a complete overhaul of the team, suggesting that Neymar, Casemiro, and their cohort should step aside. Optimists hope for a resurgence in producing midfielders and full-backs reminiscent of past glories. The immediate focus now shifts to the Copa América in two years, set to take place in the U.S. Should Ancelotti perform poorly there, his lucrative £8.5 million-a-year contract may not be honored.
