Bruno Guimaraes: Brazilian media blast Newcastle star as 'worst player on the pitch' vs Norway

Newcastle United captain and Arsenal target Bruno Guimaraes had a night to forget as Brazil were dumped out of the World Cup 2-1 by Norway on Sunday.

Neymar's late penalty proved meaningless after Erling Haaland's brilliant brace had put the game out of reach for the five-time champions in New Jersey.

But it could have been a very different game, had the Newcastle man kept his nerve from the spot early on.

Awarded a penalty after Matheus Cunha had been brought down, Guimaraes was handed the ball to put Brazil ahead, but found his weak effort saved by Orjan Haskjold Nyland.

The 28-year-old had only ever taken three penalties during matches before Sunday's game, converting two for Newcastle last season.

Arsenal had a £55million proposal rejected for Guimaraes last month, and may now be expected to progress their interest with the player set to return home.

Brazilian media rip into Bruno Guimaraes

With usual penalty taker, Lucas Paqueta, out injured, it appeared most likely that Vinicius Junior would take the spot kick.

The Real Madrid winger is Brazil's star player, and has scored 13 across his career. However, he has also missed six, including two last season.

Cunha himself was another option, having scored seven and missed two in his career, but he has not taken one in a competitive game since 2024.

In all likelihood, the decision to allow Guimaraes to take it was likely one well thought out, but it could not have backfired more.

The 28-year-old's effort was weak, not at all in the corner and at a great height for Nyland, who saved comfortably.

The midfielder did not seem to recover from that moment, and was substituted in the moments before Haaland's opener.

For ESPN Brazil, Murilo Borges described Guimaraes as the "worst player on the pitch" and rated him a three out of 10.

Bruno Cassucci, for Globo, gave him a four out of 10, and wrote: "His worst game in the World Cup – and not just because of the missed penalty early in the game.

"Even before that, he had already made a mistake switching play that resulted in a (disallowed) goal for Norway. He had less possession and only completed 15 passes in the attacking third."

Brazil heartbreak may push Guimaraes away

With Guimaraes at the World Cup, it is has not yet been clear how he will react to Arsenal's interest this summer.

With Newcastle no longer in financial trouble after the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, there is a feeling that the captain will need to push to get a move away.

With the Magpies having failed to qualify for any European competition, fear is building that his loyalty and patience may have run out.

Winning the World Cup would have put off Guimaraes desire for trophies in his prime years, but the nature of Brazil's defeat may well motivate him to push for them elsewhere at club level.