Neymar has officially retired from international football following Brazil's stunning 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Monday morning (AEST). Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland scored twice to upset one of the tournament favorites and advance to the quarter-finals. Neymar, visibly devastated, was seen in tears after the final whistle.
Neymar Confirms Retirement in Emotional Interview
Speaking to Latin America's largest TV network, Globo, after the match, the 34-year-old confirmed it would be his last appearance in a Brazil shirt. “I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, and ended here,” Neymar said. In a twist of fate, Neymar earned his first international cap at MetLife Stadium against Norway in 2010. A glittering 130 games, 80 goals, and 16 years later, he bids farewell at the same venue against the same opponent. Neymar scored Brazil's lone goal from the penalty spot with his final touch at international level.
Norway's Historic Triumph
Norway's women's team won the World Cup in 1995, but the men's side had only qualified four times previously and not since 1998. They had never advanced beyond the round of 16. This victory marks a historic milestone for Norwegian football. Norway next faces the winner of the Mexico-England round-of-16 game, with the quarter-final scheduled for Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Key Moments and Missed Opportunities
Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland made a crucial early save, diving left to deny Bruno Guimaraes' penalty kick in the 14th minute. He later got his left hand on a shot by Endrick when Norway was holding onto a one-goal lead. Guimaraes became the first Brazil player to miss a World Cup penalty since Zico in 1986. The decision to have him take the penalty instead of star Vinícius Junior drew immediate criticism and will likely be questioned for some time.
There were other missed chances, including Casemiro failing to connect with Neymar on a cross that could have been the equalizer. Brazil exits the tournament having massively underachieved expectations for the five-time World Cup champions. Their streak of quarter-final appearances ended at eight, and they lost before that stage for the first time since 1990. It was also Brazil's seventh consecutive loss to European opponents in the World Cup, dating back to their victory over Germany in the 2002 final.
With AAP.
