No Endrick trust, costly tactical gamble: Ancelotti's masterplan falls apart as Brazil's European curse strikes again

No Endrick trust, costly tactical gamble: Ancelotti's masterplan falls apart as Brazil's European curse strikes again

Brazil's hopes of ending a 24-year wait for FIFA World Cup glory came crashing down after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti facing mounting criticism for a series of tactical decisions that failed to deliver on football's biggest stage.

The five-time world champions entered the knockout clash as favourites after edging past Japan in the previous round. Instead, they exited the tournament against European opposition once again, extending a trend that has haunted Brazil across multiple World Cups.

Endrick left watching as Brazil searched for answers

One of the biggest talking points was Ancelotti's continued reluctance to hand a major role to teenage sensation Endrick.

The Real Madrid forward, regarded as one of Brazil's brightest attacking prospects, remained on the bench for most of the contest despite Brazil struggling to create clear-cut opportunities after falling behind.

As Norway defended resolutely and threatened on the counter-attack, calls for Endrick's introduction grew louder. By the time he entered the match, Brazil were chasing the game with little time left to mount a comeback.

Many supporters questioned why one of the squad's most explosive forwards was not trusted earlier, particularly when Brazil lacked pace and directness in the final third.

Tactical experiment fails to pay off

Ancelotti opted for a conservative tactical setup, prioritising midfield control and defensive stability instead of Brazil's traditional attacking approach.

While the strategy initially limited Norway's space, it also reduced Brazil's attacking fluency. The South Americans dominated possession but struggled to penetrate a disciplined Norwegian defence.

Norway capitalised on defensive lapses and clinical finishing, punishing Brazil during key moments before successfully managing the closing stages of the match.

Critics argued that Brazil became predictable, with their slow build-up allowing Norway to remain organised throughout the contest.

Familiar World Cup pain against European teams

Brazil's latest elimination reinforced a troubling pattern.

Since lifting the World Cup in 2002, the Seleção have repeatedly fallen to European opposition in the knockout rounds.

Their exits include defeats to France in 2006, the Netherlands in 2010, Germany in the infamous 7-1 semi-final in 2014, Belgium in 2018, Croatia on penalties in 2022 and now Norway in 2026.

The recurring struggles have raised fresh questions about Brazil's ability to adapt tactically against Europe's elite nations in high-pressure knockout matches.

Questions over Ancelotti's approach

Ancelotti was appointed with the expectation that his vast experience in European football would help Brazil bridge the gap at major tournaments.

Instead, his first World Cup campaign ended earlier than anticipated, with critics pointing to conservative substitutions, cautious team selection and an inability to respond after Norway seized momentum.

The decision not to build the attack around Endrick also became a focal point of post-match analysis, with many believing Brazil failed to maximise the youngster's ability to stretch opposition defences.

A painful exit for Brazil

The defeat leaves Brazil still searching for a sixth World Cup title more than two decades after their triumph in Japan and South Korea.

For Ancelotti, the early elimination is likely to trigger intense scrutiny over his tactical philosophy and squad management, while attention will inevitably turn towards the next generation of Brazilian stars expected to lead the national team forward.

Whether Endrick becomes the face of Brazil's future remains to be seen, but the World Cup exit has already intensified calls for the teenager to play a more prominent role as the Seleção look to rebuild once again.