World Cup: Ancelotti’s Brazil bounce back but Montella and Turkey are already eliminated

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil secured a 3-0 win over Haiti in the second group stage game of the World Cup, but Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey lost 1-0 to Paraguay and faced elimination.

It’s been a night of mixed feelings for Italian coaches at the World Cup, with one, Montella, knocked out after just two rounds.

His Turkey side lost 1-0 to Paraguay despite playing the entire second half a man down. The South Americans took the lead in the second minute through Matias Galarza. Serie A stars Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz played the full 90 minutes but were unable to turn the game around.

World Cup: Montella’s Turkey eliminated

Turkey already lost the opening round 2-0 to Australia, so their second consecutive loss means they are now eliminated.

“It’s truly incredible; we put down two high-level performances, making 65 shots towards the goal without being able to score. We didn’t concede much, but even that little was capitalised,” Montella said via Gazzetta.

“Sincerely, something like that had never happened to me in 35 years of football. It is clear that, in these two matches, fate was not on our side. However, it cannot be said that the spirit, the soul or the will to fight was lacking. The team gave it their all until the last second. We tried every way, but it didn’t go.

“I feel very sorry for the Turkish people, who had great expectations and great ambitions. I feel sorry for the Federation and the president, who have always been close to us and supported us at all times. And I’m especially sorry for the footballers, because they left everything on the pitch.”

While Turkey have already faced elimination from Group D, Ancelotti’s Brazil secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti, scoring all three goals in the first half.

Matheus Cunha scored the opening two goals, with Vini Jr. netting the third for Brazil, his second at the 2026 World Cup.

“I think that for this game Matheus Cunha’s position was a good one to create problems for the defence. He also filtered passes very well and moved into position really well. He can be an option. I don’t want a clear identity, because in the next game we may change,” Ancelotti said at full-time.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 13: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, reacts after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“He came into the World Cup well, in excellent condition. We don’t expect it to be Vinícius’s World Cup; we expect it to be Brazil’s World Cup.

“We moved Vini a little more inside, leaving the wide play more to Douglas Santos, who did very well. Vini is dangerous not only one-on-one, but also when attacking in behind. Attacking in behind through the centre of the pitch is more dangerous — he scored a goal and provided an assist.

“We were much better in the first half, with more effectiveness up front. In the second half we had more control. We had many opportunities; we could have scored more goals. Overall it was a good game.”

In the other Group C game last night, Morocco beat Scotland 1-0, so Brazil and Morocco are now the group leaders with four points, followed by Scotland with three and Haiti with none.