Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has vowed that the national team will bounce back from their painful World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Norway, using the defeat as 'fuel' for future success. Ancelotti insisted that the disappointing tournament marks 'the start of a new cycle' for Brazil. 'Obviously everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don't think we have had a spectacular World Cup but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today,' Ancelotti said after the 2-1 loss at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A Bittersweet Exit
The match hinged on an early penalty by Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes, which was saved, and two late goals by Erling Haaland for Norway. Neymar's successful spot-kick in injury time offered scant consolation. 'You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve,' Ancelotti added.
A New Beginning
Ancelotti, who was appointed just over a year ago with the task of winning Brazil a record-extending sixth World Cup, dismissed any suggestion that he would step down. 'I don't think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle,' he insisted. 'I think with the squad they have, Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today's game.'
Long Wait Continues
Brazil's wait to win another World Cup now stretches beyond a quarter of a century, with their last title coming in Japan in 2002. Their last-16 exit here makes this their worst World Cup showing since 1990, when they were beaten at the same stage by Argentina.
Commitment to Improvement
'What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas,' Ancelotti added. 'I think we have done a good job, but this is football and this is sport. You just have to deal with it, deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat. I am very much used to this and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward.'
