Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti explains why Vinicius Jr did not take first-half penalty in FIFA World Cup loss to Norway

× Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti explained why Vinicius did not step up for their first-half penalty against Norway after they crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ad Matheus Cunha won a 14th-minute penalty after being brought down in the area by Kristoffer Ajer. Despite Vinicius being Brazil’s leading scorer at the tournament, the winger did not take the spot-kick.

Instead, it was Bruno Guimaraes who assumed responsibility. The Newcastle midfielder, however, was denied by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who correctly guessed the direction and made the save. Speaking after the game, Ancelotti said the decision was based on statistical analysis and the players available during the match, noting that Vinicius was not among Brazil’s five best penalty takers.

Ad Trending “We did some stats from a year of the rival players and also ours. The best in the Selecao was Raphinha,” said Ancelotti. “Among those available, the best was Neymar, then Igor Thiago, then Bruno Guimaraes, and then [Gabriel] Martinelli.

We chose Bruno Guimaraes because we thought he was the best on the field [to take it].” Ad The decision proved decisive in the end, as Neymar’s late penalty ended up as a consolation goal as Brazil lost 2-1. While playing for Ancelotti at Real Madrid between 2021 and 2025, Vinicius converted six of his nine penalties.

He has missed two of his three penalties for Seleção, including his most recent against Venezuela in 2024. Brazil's assistant coach echoes Ancelotti’s penalty decision in World Cup loss to Norway Davide Ancelotti, Brazil’s assistant coach and son of Carlo Ancelotti, echoed his father’s sentiments after they exited the World Cup. Speaking to the media, Davide said the coaching staff determined the penalty taker before the match and added that missing a penalty is part of the game.

Ad “It's a predefined decision just like in all games,” he said. “We always communicate beforehand to the player who will take the penalty. It's a decision by the coaching staff.

Missing a penalty happens in football, and today it happened.”It was an underwhelming display from the five-time world champions as they were thoroughly dominated by Norway. Ancelotti’s side managed 34 percent ball possession, their lowest in a World Cup match since 1966.

Their exits in the last six World Cups have come from a European team, and it was their first last-16 exit since 1990. × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Ezekiel Olamide Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti explained why Vinicius did not step up for their first-half penalty against Norway after they crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ad Matheus Cunha won a 14th-minute penalty after being brought down in the area by Kristoffer Ajer. Despite Vinicius being Brazil’s leading scorer at the tournament, the winger did not take the spot-kick. Instead, it was Bruno Guimaraes who assumed responsibility.

The Newcastle midfielder, however, was denied by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who correctly guessed the direction and made the save. Speaking after the game, Ancelotti said the decision was based on statistical analysis and the players available during the match, noting that Vinicius was not among Brazil’s five best penalty takers. Ad Trending “We did some stats from a year of the rival players and also ours.

The best in the Selecao was Raphinha,” said Ancelotti. “Among those available, the best was Neymar, then Igor Thiago, then Bruno Guimaraes, and then [Gabriel] Martinelli. We chose Bruno Guimaraes because we thought he was the best on the field [to take it].”

Ad The decision proved decisive in the end, as Neymar’s late penalty ended up as a consolation goal as Brazil lost 2-1. While playing for Ancelotti at Real Madrid between 2021 and 2025, Vinicius converted six of his nine penalties. He has missed two of his three penalties for Seleção, including his most recent against Venezuela in 2024.

Brazil's assistant coach echoes Ancelotti’s penalty decision in World Cup loss to Norway Davide Ancelotti, Brazil’s assistant coach and son of Carlo Ancelotti, echoed his father’s sentiments after they exited the World Cup. Speaking to the media, Davide said the coaching staff determined the penalty taker before the match and added that missing a penalty is part of the game. Ad “It's a predefined decision just like in all games,” he said.

“We always communicate beforehand to the player who will take the penalty. It's a decision by the coaching staff. Missing a penalty happens in football, and today it happened.”

It was an underwhelming display from the five-time world champions as they were thoroughly dominated by Norway. Ancelotti’s side managed 34 percent ball possession, their lowest in a World Cup match since 1966. Their exits in the last six World Cups have come from a European team, and it was their first last-16 exit since 1990.

× Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Ezekiel Olam