Bruno Guimaraes Misses Penalty, Career Stats Unveiled
Bruno Guimaraes stepped up for Brazil’s decisive spot‑kick on 6 July 2026, only to see his effort sail over the bar as Brazil lost 2‑1 to Norway in the World Cup round‑of‑16. The miss marked his fourth regular‑time penalty in senior club football and his first in a World Cup match.
According to a survey by *ge*, Guimaraes has taken just four penalties during 90 minutes of club play. He scored three: one for Lyon against Lorient in the French Ligue 1 on 12 Oct 2021, and two for Newcastle United in the English Premier League-versus Leeds United on 3 Mar 2026 and Brentford on 21 Apr 2026. The missed spot‑kick in Qatar was his fourth.
When shoot‑outs are counted, Guimaraes has stepped up six times, converting five. He netted penalties in the 2019 Brazil Cup tie between Flamengo and Athletico‑PR, again in the same tournament when Athletico‑PR faced Grêmio, and in the 2020 French Cup for Lyon against Red Star. He also scored in the 2024 FA Cup shoot‑out versus Blackburn Rovers and the 2026 FA Cup clash with Bournemouth, where his miss contributed to Newcastle’s elimination.
In the post‑match press conference, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti explained the decision. He said the coaching staff had ranked players by conversion rates over the past year, placing Neymar first, Igor Thiago second, Raphinha third, Bruno Guimaraes fourth and Gabriel Martinelli fifth. With the top three absent from the field, Guimaraes was deemed the best option on the pitch.
Guimaraes’ failed attempt became only the fourth regular‑time penalty miss for Brazil in World Cup history. The previous three were recorded by Zico in 1986 against France, Patesko in 1938 versus Sweden, and Waldemar de Brito in 1934 against Spain. The rarity of such misses adds weight to the disappointment felt by the Brazilian camp.
The midfielder returns to Newcastle United for Premier League duties. Ancelotti’s assessment suggests the club still trusts his composure, despite the high‑profile miss. Guimaraes will look to add to his three successful regular‑time penalties and improve his shoot‑out reputation as the season progresses.
While the World Cup miss will linger in headlines, Guimaraes’ overall conversion rate remains strong: three out of four in open play and five out of six in shoot‑outs. Those numbers place him among the more reliable penalty takers in European club football, a fact that could influence future selection for Brazil’s set‑piece duties.
Supporters on social media expressed a mix of frustration and encouragement. Many highlighted his club record, urging him to bounce back. Others pointed out the pressure of a World Cup knockout stage, reminding him that even legends have missed.
Brazil’s coaching staff may revisit their ranking system after the elimination. With Neymar, Igor Thiago and Raphinha often unavailable, the team might consider training additional options to avoid reliance on a single player in critical moments.
Bruno Guimaraes’ missed spot‑kick on 6 July 2026 adds a rare blemish to Brazil’s World Cup penalty history, but his overall record of four successful club penalties and five shoot‑out conversions shows a solid foundation. The midfielder now faces the task of turning that foundation into future success for Newcastle and the national side.