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Casemiro had to be comforted by reporters when he broke down in tears during an emotional interview moments after Brazil crashed out of the World Cup.
A brace from the inevitable Erling Haaland in the space of a little more than ten minutes crushed the Selecao’s hopes of winning football’s most coveted prize.
Neymar Jr managed to pull one back from the penalty spot in the dying embers, but it wasn’t enough to stop Norway setting up a mammoth quarter-final against England in Miami on Saturday.
And afterwards, 34-year-old Casemiro – who has surely now played his last World Cup game – was overcome with emotion.
The ex-Man United fan favourite was filmed bursting into tears as two reporters offered him a comforting hand on each shoulder.
He said: ‘We did our best, but we lost our dream… we disappointed all Brazilians. We will always be the generation that didn’t win the World Cup.’
Casemiro broke down in tears during an interview after Brazil crashed out of the World Cup
A double from Erling Haaland for Norway was enough to send Casemiro, Neymar Jr and Co home
The defeat extended what is now the longest period the five-time champions have gone without winning the tournament. It was back in 2002 they last lifted the trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti was brought in last year with a view to restoring Brazil to their former glory, but the legendary Italian has borne the brunt of the criticism in the wake of yesterday’s crushing loss.
The ex-Real Madrid boss’s decision to bring on Neymar, in particular, has been questioned given both Igor Thiago and Raphinha remained unused substitutes.
Neymar featured eight times in the Brazilian league for Santos this season yet was included in his country’s World Cup squad at the expense of stars such as Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.
The 34-year-old, who played 30 minutes off the bench, appeared utterly inconsolable after the final whistle in New Jersey and broke down in tears on the pitch.
Neymar later indicated that he intends to retire from international football, though Ancelotti affirmed that he has no intention of resigning from his post.
The Italian, whose contract runs to 2030, told reporters: ‘As long as I’m passionate, I want to keep doing this job.
‘We have to think about it. It’s very evident that in the midfield we have to move some players. We need some young talent. We need some high level players coming into Brazilian football to be able to play for the national team in the future.’
Neymar is expected to retire from international football at the age of 34
‘We continue to do our jobs and look for new ideas the same thing we did this year. That is football for you. That is sport.
‘Sometimes you have to manage the sadness and bitter taste of a defeat. I am very used to that. We are going to take this defeat and use it as fuel for the new cycle.’
One of the game’s decisive moments was Bruno Guimaraes’ first half penalty miss, but Ancelotti defended the decision to allow him – rather than Vinicius Jr, who handed the ball over to Guimaraes – to take the kick.
Ancelotti said: ‘We did statistics. The best person would be Neymar and then Raphinha and after Bruno Guimaraes and after Bruno, Martinelli. So we chose Bruno Guimaraes as we felt he would be the best.’
Norway and Haaland were stellar on the night to set up what will be a mammoth clash with England in the quarter-finals on Saturday night in Miami.
Prior to this tournament, the Norwegians had never made it to the knockout stages of the World Cup – and the team, led by Martin Odegaard, celebrated by performing their signature ‘Viking’ celebration on the pitch of the MetLife Stadium.
Haaland, who scored his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament, gushed afterwards: ‘Maybe this will write in the history of Norway. Everyone just needs to enjoy themselves.
‘This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.’
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