Erling Haaland’s second-half double sent Brazil tumbling out of the World Cup at the round-of-16 stage, a 2-1 defeat to Norway that left the five-time champions shell-shocked and their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, facing an avalanche of calls for his dismissal.
Brazil took the lead through Neymar’s late penalty, but by then Haaland had already scored twice for Norway – the first a disallowed goal in the second minute that was ruled out, the second a legitimate strike that put Norway ahead, and the third the decisive goal that sealed victory. The result means Brazil’s wait for a sixth World Cup extends beyond 24 years, their last triumph coming in 2002.
“Brazil crashed out to Norway after Haaland's double, sparking calls for Ancelotti's sacking and Guardiola's appointment.”
Ancelotti, who took over after a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in March 2025, had won 10 of his 16 games in charge, drawing three and losing three. But writing for the BBC, Tim Vickery described the exit as “an unmitigated disaster”, pointing to Brazil’s midfield issues. “The fact that they were comprehensively outpassed by Norway … is simply astonishing,” Vickery wrote. Ancelotti confessed after the loss of injured Lucas Paqueta that he had no like-for-like replacement, turning instead to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, which left Brazil’s attack reliant on quick breaks.
“We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas,” Ancelotti said after the match. “I believe that this loss is not the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.” But Brazil fans on social media were unforgiving. “Bruno is at fault, Endrick is at fault. But the main one responsible for the elimination is the cowardly and arrogant Carlo Ancelotti,” one wrote. Another said: “Carlo Ancelotti is an absolute coward. An utter disgrace. He should be fired tonight.” A third added: “To choose Neymar over Joao Pedro is an injustice punishable by this sort of disgrace.”
With Ancelotti under fire, supporters have already identified their preferred successor: Pep Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer and was replaced by Enzo Maresca. “This selection is begging for Pep Guardiola,” one fan posted. Another said: “The only manager who can save Brazil, Pep Guardiola.” A third urged the Brazilian Football Confederation to “pay the buyout clause”. Guardiola has been linked with Brazil before; former full-back Dani Alves revealed in 2015 that Guardiola wanted the job for the 2014 World Cup.
Gary Neville, meanwhile, was “fuming” with Arsenal defender Gabriel after Haaland won their individual battle, with Neymar reduced to tears as Brazil’s latest World Cup dream ended in the last 16.