Haaland Scored Two, Ancelotti Had No Answers, and Brazil Crashed Out in the Round of 16 for the First Time Since 1990
Haaland scored twice, Neymar pulled one back late, but it wasn't enough. Brazil exit the World Cup in the round of 16 for the first time since 1990, exposing a squad with neither a No. 9 nor a No. 10.
Erling Haaland walked onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium and did what he does best: he dismantled Brazil. Two goals from the Norwegian were enough to end the Seleção's dream of a sixth world title before the quarterfinals even arrived — something that hadn't happened since 1990, the last time Brazil went out in the round of 16.
Neymar still tried. He converted a penalty in the final minute and gave the scoreline some suspense, but it wasn't enough. The Amarelinha left the field with heads bowed and questions that will sting for a long time.
The elimination was Brazil's sixth consecutive last-16 exit at the World Cup — and this time they couldn't even get past a European side, a hoodoo that had lasted since 2002. According to Trivela, the match was defined by mistakes that accumulated across all 90 minutes.
"Brazil have neither a No. 10 nor a No. 9; it was a massive disappointment," said Arnaldo Ribeiro on Posse de Bola, on Canal UOL. It's a harsh verdict, but it echoes exactly what supporters saw on the pitch.
Mauro Cezar Pereira went in the same direction: the elimination was "expected" and exposed a below-par job from Carlo Ancelotti, he also said on Posse de Bola. The Italian manager's first World Cup in charge of the national team ended bitterly — and left little doubt about what was missing.
Golmetria's model had already projected Brazil eliminated in the quarterfinals, with zero probability of advancing beyond the round of 16. The cold number confirms what the game showed: the Seleção arrived at the tournament without the level a World Cup demands.
Now comes the hangover. What changes? Who stays? Who goes? Brazil has four years to find answers — and the clock has already started.