Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti stated that Sunday’s devastating 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 game that came down to an early penalty saved by Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes.
Neymar’s successful penalty kick in injury time provided little consolation.
“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.
The Italian is under contract until the next World Cup in 2030, and he promptly denied any suggestion that he will leave soon.
“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.”
Brazil’s wait to win another World Cup will now last more than a quarter of a century, with their last championship coming in Japan in 2002.
Their last-16 fall here is their worst World Cup performance since 1990, when they were defeated at the same stage by Argentina.
“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.”
Vinicius Junior, who scored four goals during the competition, described it as “a very sad day.”
“Being knocked out of a World Cup is always a huge blow. We still haven’t really analyzed 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.”
