Two goals by Erling Haaland with an assist from Andreas Schjelderup sent Brazil out of the World Cup and Norway through to the quarter-finals with 2-1 on Sunday night. But it was Neymar who had the last word – and the last frustration.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty early in the game. Bruno Guimarães took responsibility, but was stopped by a brilliant save from Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. – Nyland is currently without a club after Sevilla’s new owners with Sergio Ramos in charge have found him too bad to play for them. (meat hats)
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Another who behaves badly is Neymar, who joined the World Cup because of his stardom not for his qualities on the pitch. He has the same ego, but is just a shadow of himself.
Haaland’s first goal came in the 79th minute, when he met Andreas Schjelderup’s cross with a beautiful header. His second in the 90th minute gave Alisson Becker zero chance – a nonchalant control followed by a hammering shot into the far corner.
Neymar reduced from the penalty spot in the 90+8th minute. It will probably be his very last touch of the ball in a World Cup – and it was the last goal in Brazil’s disappointing championship in North America.
Haaland is now on a par with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot league – all with seven goals. For Neymar, his last international appearance ended in pure frustration.
Exchange of words with Uusimaa
The Santos striker came on in the second half, but was unable to turn the game around for Brazil. The 34-year-old star is expected to announce his international retirement after the championship – and his dream was to do so as a world champion.
Instead, his last World Cup memory was a quarrel with Nyland. He exchanged words with the Norwegian goalkeeper both before and after the penalty – and eager fans online have interpreted the conversation as follows:
Neymar: “Where do you want it? Where do you want it?”
Nyland: “I’ll stop it for you! I’ll stop it for you!”
Neymar scored coldly, with Nyland stuck in the spot. After the score, the Brazilian reportedly said to the goalkeeper:
– “Not for me! Not for me!”
“Pathetic ending” – fans are furious
Neymar’s behaviour after the goal did not go down well with the fans. Many thought he put himself in front of the team – and that he seemed more concerned with provoking Nyland than rushing to get the ball back with seconds left in the game.
One fan on X wrote:
Another added:
A third:
Neymar’s legacy – and a bitter farewell
Neymar made his debut for Brazil as an 18-year-old in 2010, and has since played 130 international matches, scoring 80 goals and providing 59 assists. He surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer in 2023.
But he has never won the World Championship. He has also never lifted the Copa America trophy.
If this is indeed the end, he will say goodbye in humiliating fashion – after a tournament in which his withdrawal already caused controversy. Ancelotti chose to leave out Chelsea’s João Pedro despite an impressive season – a decision that will now be thoroughly debated in retrospect.
Neymar dreamed of following in Pelé’s footsteps and lifting the World Cup trophy for the record holders. Instead, he returns home with a loss – and a picture of himself talking to a goalkeeper, while the game slipped away.
