The quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title remains elusive for Brazil. Their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday marks six consecutive tournaments without a championship win, prompting some to label it the reverse hexa.
The backlash from fans and pundits alike has been severe. Neto, a former international and current commentator for Radio Bandeirantes, did not hold back. He stated, “It’s a generation that won fuck all,”
Carlo Ancelotti, who previously received acclaim for his strategies during Brazil’s victory over Japan, has also faced criticism. Cahê Mota, writing for Globoesporte, expressed that Ancelotti’s substitutions against Norway worsened the team’s performance.
“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 pointed out that a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães could have altered the match’s dynamics. He noted, “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.”
Brazil’s possession during the match was a mere 34%, the lowest recorded in any World Cup match since records began in 1966. Mauro Cezar Pereira, a prominent analyst, described this statistic as disgraceful. “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 remarked, labeling the approach as “The poor quality of Carlo Ancelotti’s work is embarrassing.” and pointing to the “That’s what decided the game,”
Calls for Ancelotti’s dismissal have emerged, particularly following the Brazilian Football Confederation’s decision to extend his contract just months before the tournament. His management of Neymar has also sparked division among supporters. Advocates argue that had Neymar started the match, he would have converted the penalty in the first half, potentially changing the game’s outcome.
Conversely, critics assert that bringing Neymar into the center of the attack compromised the team’s effectiveness, displacing Vinícius Júnior and Endrick to the flanks. Mauro commented, “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 a friendly against the USA in New Jersey in 2010, concluded his international career after amassing 130 caps and 80 goals. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over.”
Many fans in Brazil are calling for a complete overhaul, suggesting that Neymar, Casemiro, and their contemporaries should step aside. Optimistic supporters hope for a resurgence of Brazilian talent in midfield and defense reminiscent of past generations. The immediate goal is the Copa América in two years, likely to be held in the US. Should Ancelotti’s performance in that tournament mirror his World Cup results, it is unlikely he will complete his £8.5 million-a-year contract.
