Cunha calls Brazil's World Cup exit 'the most difficult day of my life' after Norway defeat

Matheus Cunha delivered an emotional assessment of Brazil’s World Cup campaign after Carlo Ancelotti’s side were knocked out by Norway in the round of 16 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, ending the Selecao’s hopes of a first world title since 2002.

“Without a doubt, today must be the most difficult day of my life, professionally speaking,” the Manchester United forward told Globo. “We had chances we didn’t convert, while they had chances and converted them. It’s difficult to try to understand everything but, unfortunately, that’s part of football.”

Cunha had been one of Brazil’s standout performers throughout the tournament, netting three goals in as many appearances. He scored twice against Haiti in the group stage before adding another in a 3-0 win over Scotland to close out the group phase. His contributions, however, could not spare the five-time world champions from a 12th consecutive year without lifting the trophy.

The defeat also carried significant symbolic weight. Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, scored a late consolation goal deep in added time before confirming his international retirement, drawing a line under one of the most decorated individual careers in Brazilian football history.

Cunha made no attempt to conceal the scale of the dressing room’s distress after the final whistle. “There is a lot of sadness in the dressing room. A lot of crying. A lot of pain,” the 27-year-old said. “The worst thing is that we frustrated a lot of people and that is what hurts most.”

Brazil’s exit continues a troubling pattern at major tournaments for a nation that remains the most decorated side in World Cup history yet has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals since their run to the final in 2002.