'We deserved to win': Ancelotti says Brazil exit is 'start of a new cycle'

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted his side deserved better despite their shock World Cup exit to Norway, saying the painful defeat should become "fuel" for a new era rather than define the beginning of his reign.

The five-time champions crashed out in the Round of 16 after a 2-1 defeat to Erling Haaland's Norway at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Monday, their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

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Yet Ancelotti refused to dwell solely on the result.

"Obviously everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened," the Italian said.

"I don't think we have had a spectacular World Cup but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today."

Brazil's hopes were dealt a major blow when Bruno Guimaraes saw an early penalty saved before Haaland struck twice late on. Neymar's stoppage-time penalty proved only a consolation.

Haaland became the first player to score twice against Brazil in a World Cup match since Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle did so in Germany's infamous 7-1 semifinal victory in 2014.

Brazil were also left to rue Guimaraes' miss. It was the Newcastle United midfielder's first failed penalty for his country after converting both of his Premier League spot-kicks last season, while he became the first Brazilian to miss a penalty during a World Cup match since Zico against France in 1986, excluding shootouts.

The statistics suggested a finely balanced contest. Norway dominated possession with 66.5 percent to Brazil's 33.5 and managed five shots on target to Brazil's four, while the Selecao finished with more attempts overall, 14 to Norway's nine.

For Ancelotti, however, the defeat was not a reason to abandon the long-term project he began just over a year ago.

"You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve," he said.

The Italian, whose contract runs until the 2030 World Cup, quickly dismissed any suggestion that the defeat marked the end of his tenure.

"I don't think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle," he said.

"I think with the squad they have, Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today's game."

Brazil's wait for a record-extending sixth World Cup title will now stretch beyond 28 years, with their last triumph coming in Japan in 2002. The defeat also extended a worrying trend, as the Selecao have now failed to win any of their last four World Cup matches that were level at half-time (D2 L2) and have lost each of their last seven knockout ties against European opposition since beating Germany in the 2002 final.

Ancelotti, though, believes the setback can become the foundation for something bigger.

"What we can do, and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas," he said.

"I think we have done a good job, but this is football and this is sport. You just have to deal with it, deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat.

"I am very much used to this and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward."