Real Madrid fans had to watch in horror as no matter what Vinicius Junior did to create chances for his Brazil national teammates, a combination of subpar talent and finished stars of yesteryear held back the Selecao and produced a finish that is the worst of a Brazil team in ages.
Besides Vini Jr., who created two chances and won a whopping six completed dribbles, the Brazil attack was out of ideas, and Madridistas, once again, have a few bones to pick with the beloved Carlo Ancelotti.
But perhaps the biggest issue was the snubbing of Vinicius Junior. Instead of having the in form man and the new face of the national team take the decisive penalty in the Round of 16 against a team with Erling Haaland, Brazil trotted out a clearly nervous Bruno Guimaraes, a player who has only played for Lyon and Newcastle United in his career and has no concept of the stakes of a game like this.
Carlo Ancelotti messed with Vinicius Jr. again
Instead of having a two time Champions League winner and one of the biggest big game players in the modern game, Carlo Ancelotti took the ball out of the hands of the guy who has helped keep him relevant in the 2020s an gave it to a player who literally stopped his run up short, tamely passing it right to the keeper, barely to his right.
After the game, Ancleotti doubled down on his decision, stating that it had already been decided before the game by Brazil that Bruno Guimaraes is the best at penalties and would be the one take the spot kicks.
Carlo told reporters at the post game press conference, via the Madrid Zone, “Why didn't Vini Jr shoot the pen, why leave it to Bruno Guimarães? We looked at some stats. The best in the Seleção was Raphinha. Among those available, the best was Neymar, then Igor Thiago, then Bruno Guimarães, and then Martinelli. We chose Bruno Guimarães because we thought he was the best on the field for it."
That is such a laughable comment from the coach. Obviously Neymar is the best at penalties, but Bruno G., Igor Thiago, and Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order over Vinicius Jr.? Over a top five player in the world and a superstar at Real Madrid? And Raphinha the best overall? Raphinha? The guy Brazil fans don't even trust? Bizarre.
That quote shows you how flawed Carlo's thinking is in 2026 and how terrible the Brazilian national team is run these days that they cannot even use basic logic. Penalties in training or in random games against Fulham do not mean much. The penalties with everything on the line and the pressure are when you need someone like Vini Jr. Carlo just proved that Brazil do not truly want to give Vini Jr. the keys to the kingdom, and he will continue to be failed by subpar teammates and coaching decisions.
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