Ancelotti explains why Vinicius Jr didn’t take Brazil’s penalty vs Norway
Ancelotti explains why Vinicius Jr didn’t take Brazil’s penalty vs Norway
Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in the Round of Sixteen of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 6, with Erling Haaland scoring both Norway goals. Bruno Guimaraes missed a first‑half penalty that was saved, and Neymar netted a stoppage‑time consolation spot‑kick. After the match, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Vinicius Júnior was not among the team’s top five penalty takers. According to the stats shown, the best was Raphinha, followed by Neymar, then Igor Thiago, Bruno Guimaraes and Martinelli. Ancelotti added that, in his view, Bruno Guimaraes was the best player on the pitch.
The revelation matters for Nigerian fans who follow Brazil’s World Cup fortunes. It shows how a clear penalty hierarchy can affect knockout‑stage momentum—had Vinicius taken the kick, the game’s early momentum might have shifted. It also highlights the importance of designating reliable spot‑kick takers, a lesson relevant as Nigeria prepares for future tournaments.
What should you take from this? Brazil’s likely penalty order is Neymar first, then Igor Thiago, Bruno Guimaraes, Martinelli and Raphinha, with Vinicius Júnior not in the mix. If you were selecting Nigeria’s penalty takers, would you prefer a fixed order like Brazil’s or a more flexible approach based on form and match situation?