Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti described the exit from the 2026 World Cup round of 16 after a 1-2 loss to Norway as the beginning of a new adventure with the "Samba dancers
"Brazil deserved to win, but I see this loss as the beginning of a new adventure," Ancelotti said at the press conference following the match.
The veteran Italian coach added, "We must continue to improve, and find new solutions and ideas. This is not the end, but the beginning of a new phase."
Bruno Guimarães missed a penalty for Brazil in the 14th minute, which could have changed the fate of the Seleção in the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti explained his choice of Guimaraes to take the penalty instead of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, saying, "We collected statistics over the course of a whole year about our players and our rivals."
The Samba coach revealed, "The best penalty taker in the Brazilian national team, in order, is Neymar, followed by Igor Thiago, then Rafinha, then Guimaraes, and finally Gabriel Martinelli."
Ancelotti concluded his remarks by saying, "Neymar, Thiago and Rafinha were not on the pitch when the penalty was awarded, so we chose Guimaraes because we thought he was the best player on the field."
