Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Brazil World Cup exit arrived in brutal fashion at MetLife Stadium, where Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost 2-1 to Norway in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday.
The defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway continued Brazil’s long run of global disappointment, with the five-time champions again failing to reach the semi-finals.
The result came during a dramatic knockout round, with USMNT vs Belgium becoming another major World Cup Round of 16 storyline.
Missed Chances Hurt Brazil
Brazil’s biggest issue was finishing.
They scored 10 goals from 12.02 expected goals across the tournament, but that figure was boosted by the Haiti game, where they scored four from 1.75 xG.
Outside that match, Brazil managed only six goals from 10.27 xG.
Against Norway, Bruno Guimaraes had a penalty saved, while Endrick missed a one-on-one chance with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Midfield Left Too Much On Guimaraes
Brazil’s midfield never found the balance Ancelotti needed.
Casemiro struggled despite entering the tournament after a stronger club season, while Lucas Paqueta was below his best before injury ended his World Cup.
That left Guimaraes carrying too much responsibility.
He had to defend, retain possession, beat pressure and create through midfield, which made Brazil’s structure look strained.
Norway Punish Defensive Errors
Marquinhos and Gabriel were expected to give Brazil stability at centre-back, but the big moments exposed them.
Gabriel was beaten by Haaland for Norway’s opening goal, and Brazil’s defenders later dropped too deep instead of stepping out to pressure danger.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his side expected Brazil to concede possession.
"That was our plan, to keep the ball as much as we could and from the beginning we knew we would have the ball," Solbakken said.
"We wanted to be slow."
Brazil also missed Raphinha’s off-ball movement and Paqueta’s link play, leaving Vinicius Junior without enough support in attack.
Official tournament updates are available through FIFA.
