Estêvão reveals Ancelotti’s order after Paquetá’s missed penalty in Brazil vs. Tunisia

Estêvão Follows Orders and Gives Penalty to Paquetá in Brazil Draw

Chelsea winger Estêvão revealed that he followed instructions and allowed his teammate, Lucas Paquetá, to take Brazil’s second penalty in the 1-1 friendly draw against Tunisia. Estêvão, 18 years old, had scored a penalty in the 44th minute of the match in Lille, France, equalizing the score 1-1.

When Brazil got another penalty in the 77th minute, coach Carlo Ancelotti selected Paquetá, who had come on as a substitute, instead of Estêvão to take it. The West Ham player missed his attempt, sending the ball over the crossbar.

Estêvão explained the situation: It was an order that arrived. I really wanted to take the penalty, but the order came. I supported my teammate so he could score the goal. Unfortunately, he missed, but with our heads held high, we have to train, improve because in a World Cup we have to take advantage of these opportunities. Ancelotti justified his decision:

For the second penalty, I changed the shooter because I wanted to take some pressure off Estêvão, so I put Paquetá in, who usually executes them very well.

Carlo Ancelotti

Paquetá apologized for the missed penalty:

I apologize for the missed penalty. I am sad. We probably would have won with that penalty. I am very used to scoring at my club, I have great successes. Unfortunately, my anxiety about scoring made me make a decision before that final touch, so I think that’s what prevented me from taking the penalty as I usually do and I ended up not converting it. I will try to put myself in those circumstances to improve in that sense, to convert in the next opportunity and help the team.

Lucas Paquetá

Despite the fact that Brazil did not achieve victory, Estêvão focused on the positive aspects. Estêvão joined Chelsea from Palmeiras for £29 million in the summer and quickly adapted to the Premier League. He has scored five goals in 11 appearances for Brazil. “It’s been a very special year. I don’t think I’ve had many ups and downs, but I was able to handle everything that happened. Being here with the national team means that the work has been done well at the club and at home, so I am very happy to represent the national team. Obviously, we always come here to help, and I am very happy about that,” he concluded.