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Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has criticised Brazil following their defeat to Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Completesports.com reports.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a 2-1 defeat to Norway at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday night.
Norway reached the last eight of the global soccer fiesta for the first time courtesy of Erling Haaland’s brace.
Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty for Brazil early in the game, while Gabriel Martinelli, and Vinicius Junior were denied by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland before the break.
Manchester City striker Haaland gave Norway the lead with a superb header in the 79th minute.
Haaland added the second on the dot of 90 minutes with a shot from outside the box.
Oliseh Talks Up Haaland And Norway
Oliseh was unimpressed with Brazil’s display and criticised the team’s performance in his post-match assessment.
“Erling Haaland’s second goal tells you everything you need to know. Look at the tactical shape, look at the body language—The Brazil we used to know, is completely gone. This Brazil side is sadly and completely playing “ordinary”. Bravo Norway. This world cup continues to amaze!”Oliseh wrote on X.
By Adeboye Amosu
5 Comments
Haaland”s second goal shocked me. He had so much time and space, he might as well have been in his living room at home. No Brazil player anywhere near him. When you leave a deadly striker unmarked, of course bad things will happen!
For a team coached by Ancelotti who grew up in the Italian Catenaccio system, it’s unbelievable how poor Brazil’s defense was.
The quality of the Brazilian players has dropped greatly. A Brazilian player missing penalty. Unheard of for goodness sake.
The same way the Super Eagles could lose two matches via penalties. It is incredible, No main striker in the Brazilian team, wow! They don’t even pray together as Brazilians of yore. So sad to see them go home.
Ancelloti was too scared and it affected the squad.
You are so right.
Indeed, the quality of this Brazil team is nowhere near the Brazil teams of the past.
The writing was already on the wall. Outplayed by Morocco in their opening game, and pushed to the limit by Japan in round 32, the possibility of a loss to Norway loomed large.
But one thing that really hurt them at the mundial is the absence of a point man, a “fox in the box”. A Careca, Romario, Ronaldo Fenomino type player.
Joao Pedro would have played that role seamlessly, based on his Chelsea performances. Did he have a falling out with Ancelotti? Even an off form Richarlison would have offered something.
Cunha is good, but he”s more of a support striker. He would have done well alongside Joao Pedro.
Vini Jr did what he could, but world cup is not a one man show, unless you’re Maradona.
Raphinha that could have helped out got injured, and Igor Thiago inexplicably lost form.
Also, the tactics were questionable. Against Norway, other coaches might have added another midfielder to Caseiro and Bruno, just to keep the midfield secure. Martinelli starting that game was a strange decision. He’s a winger. So Brazil had 3 wingers on the pitch, and a support striker upfront, an ageing Casmiro in the middle with Bruno and a shaky back four, with Gabriel struggling to contain Haaland. A Fabinho in the middle instead of Martinelli may have eased the pressure on the Brazil defense. But hey, Norway is a good side, and can beat anyone on their day. So it is what it is!
Brazil, it’s back to the drawing board!