In Brisbane, Bruno Guimaraes has returned to Brazil duty carrying the mark of a World Cup night that ended far too early for the five-time champions. The Arsenal midfielder says the missed penalty against Norway still hurts, but insists it would not stop him stepping forward again.
The news from the club
Guimaraes missed from the spot in the 14th minute of Brazil’s World Cup round-of-16 meeting with Norway, with the score still 0-0. Orjan Nyland saved his effort and Norway eventually won 2-1, sending Brazil out at the last-16 stage.
It was Brazil’s poorest World Cup finish since Italia 1990, when the Seleção were also eliminated in the round of 16. Guimaraes, who left Newcastle for Arsenal in August in an €87.5 million transfer, is now back in the squad for the national side’s first friendlies after that tournament.
“If another penalty came and I was asked to take it, I would not hesitate,” Guimaraes said in Brisbane. “I would take it again a thousand times if needed, because representing Brazil means everything to me.”
He described the miss as an inevitable part of football but admitted that no player is truly ready for its consequences. “It is a wound, a scar, and it still hurts,” he said, adding that players must use such moments to improve.
The midfielder also defended Vinicius Junior after criticism over his absence from the spot in the Norway match. Guimaraes stressed that he, rather than the Real Madrid forward, had been chosen as the taker.
Carlo Ancelotti had explained after the defeat that his penalty hierarchy, based on the players’ records, placed Neymar first, followed by Raphinha, Guimaraes and Gabriel Martinelli. Neymar and Raphinha were not on the pitch during the first half, when Brazil received the penalty.
Ancelotti remains in charge after agreeing a new deal before the World Cup, extending his commitment through to 2030.
Australia and India on Brazil’s itinerary
Brazil face Australia on Friday in Townsville before meeting the same opponents again next Tuesday in Brisbane. The side then travel on to Kolkata, where India await on 3 October.
