In the 12th minute at MetLife Stadium, Matheus Cunha was fouled in the box, earning Brazil a penalty. Vinicius initially picked up the ball and walked to the 11-meter spot, but then handed it to Bruno Guimaraes. The Newcastle midfielder took a hesitant run-up before striking the ball to the right, only for it to be saved by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. Brazil subsequently lost 1-2 and exited the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16.

Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty during Brazil's 1-2 loss to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on 5/7. Photo: AP

Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty during Brazil's 1-2 loss to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on 5/7. Photo: AP

After the match, Vinicius stated he did not avoid responsibility, emphasizing that the decision on who would take the penalty had been pre-determined by coach Carlo Ancelotti. "The coach chose the penalty taker before the game, and he picked Bruno", he said. "I have never been someone eager for glory or trying to score the most goals. The coach believed Bruno was better at taking penalties, so that was the decision. I have never shied away from responsibility".

Vinicius refuted suggestions that he was unwilling to take on the crucial responsibility at the most intense moment. The 25-year-old forward also disclosed that he did not argue with the coaching staff about the decision, and defended Guimaraes following the missed kick that led to Brazil's elimination.

"There was no argument", Vinicius explained. "The coach chose Bruno, and we all train for such situations every day. He was the right person to take the penalty. Unfortunately, Bruno missed. That is football. We must hold our heads high. I feel sorry for Bruno after what he showed at the World Cup. It would be sad if people only remembered him for that penalty".

Vinicius disappointed after Brazil's 1-2 loss to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on 5/7. Photo: AP

Vinicius disappointed after Brazil's 1-2 loss to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on 5/7. Photo: AP

Ancelotti also confirmed that the coaching staff had finalized the penalty order before the match, based on statistics collected throughout the year. According to the Italian coach, Brazil's priority order for penalty takers was Neymar, Igor Thiago, Raphinha, Guimaraes, and Gabriel Martinelli. At that moment, the first three players in the priority list were substitutes, so Guimaraes took the 11-meter kick.

Under Ancelotti at Real Madrid from 2021-2025, Vinicius successfully converted 6 out of 9 penalties. For the national team, the forward has scored one goal from three penalty attempts, including a miss against Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The coaching staff believed these data held more value than Vinicius's goal-scoring form in this year's tournament.

Assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo Ancelotti, also defended the coaching staff's preparation. "This decision was agreed upon beforehand, like every other match", he stressed. "We always inform the players in advance who will take the penalty. It is entirely a coaching staff decision. Missing a penalty is part of football, and today we were the team that suffered it".

Guimaraes's missed penalty.

On 5/7 at MetLife Stadium, after Erling Haaland scored two goals to give Norway the lead, Brazil only narrowed the score to 1-2 in stoppage time thanks to a penalty by Neymar. "Selecao" (Brazilian national team) maintained only 34% possession in this match, their lowest percentage at a World Cup since the 1966 tournament.

The defeat to Norway extended Brazil's streak of six World Cup eliminations by European teams. Additionally, this marked the first time the South American representative was knocked out in the round of 16 since the 1990 World Cup, leading to intense criticism of Ancelotti and doubts about his future.

However, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) director Rodrigo Caetano affirmed that Ancelotti will continue to lead the national team throughout the cycle towards the 2030 World Cup. According to Caetano, one of the reasons Brazil could not contend for the 2026 World Cup title was the team's lack of coaching stability for a long period before Ancelotti took office.

Key moments from Brazil 1-2 Norway.

Hong Duy (according to Marca, Sky Sports)