Brazil's last 2 World Cup defeats came without a Flamengo player

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Coluna do Fla

·6 Juli 2026

Brazil's last 2 World Cup defeats came without a Flamengo player

Lucas Paquetá suffered a left thigh injury during Brazil vs Japan match

Norway eliminated the Brazil National Team in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Sunday (05). As a result, Brazil has now suffered two World Cup defeats in the absence of Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo’s midfielder.

This is because the playmaker had been called up, but was not on the field against Cameroon in 2022 and Norway in this edition. In fact, the midfielder has never lost a World Cup match, having recorded six wins and two draws in eight games.

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What is the context behind Brazil’s two defeats without Paquetá?

In 2022, Tite’s side won its first two group-stage matches. So, the Seleção could afford to play only reserves in the third round against Cameroon. As a result, Brazil lost 1-0 to the Cameroonians without the Flamengo starter on the field.

This year, however, the Flamengo academy product was not present in the 2-1 defeat to Norway due to a left thigh injury. That is because the midfielder got hurt in the opening minutes of the Round of 32 match against Japan.

But didn’t Brazil lose to Croatia?

The Rubro-Negro midfielder did in fact start in Brazil’s elimination against Croatia in 2022. The player even assisted Neymar for Brazil’s goal. However, the place in the semifinals was only decided on penalties. Therefore, the situation ended in a draw in regular time.

Who played in Lucas Paquetá’s place?

Without the Rubro-Negro player, Carlo Ancelotti gave the spot to forward Gabriel Martinelli. As a result, Brazil returned to a 4-2-4 tactical setup. That left the midfield with only Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães.

Is Paquetá returning to Flamengo now?

Brazil exits the World Cup two weeks before the final. However, Fla will not have Paquetá back immediately. That is because, in addition to being injured, the player will have a few days off once the Brazilian delegation releases him. So, the midfielder leaves the World Cup with one assist in four matches.

What is the author’s opinion on Paquetá in the national team?

Ancelotti himself said there is no player like Paquetá in Brazil’s squad, yet anti-Flamengo people think it is appropriate to celebrate the guy’s injury. In fact, the midfielder’s first half against Morocco left a lot to be desired,” said João Vítor Reis of Coluna do Fla, who added:“Other than that, though, it was Paquetá who made Brazil function. Vini Jr. had the freedom he had because of the Flamengo player, who did the ‘dirty work.’ The player must even have ‘scoliosis’ from carrying Casemiro so much over the four matches,” he opined.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.