Estevao clears up Brazil penalty confusion after Paqueta blunder
The Chelsea star had scored the first spot-kick of the game but then handed responsibilty to his team-mate
Chelsea’s young winger Estevao said he was simply following instructions when he stepped aside and let Lucas Paqueta take Brazil’s second penalty during Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly against Tunisia.
The 18-year-old had calmly dispatched a first-half spot-kick in Lille to bring Brazil level, converting in the 44th minute after Tunisia’s early opener.
But when a second penalty was awarded with just over ten minutes left, the responsibility shifted. Paqueta, brought on as a substitute, was selected by coach Carlo Ancelotti to take it.
The West Ham midfielder lifted his effort over the bar.
“It was an order that came,” Estevao said.
“I really wanted to take the spot-kick but the order came in. I supported my teammate so he could score the goal. Unfortunately, he missed, but heads held high, we have to train, improve because in a World Cup we have to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Ancelotti later clarified that the decision was made to ease the burden on the teenager.
“For the second penalty, I changed penalty taker because I wanted to take some of the pressure off Estevao, so I put Paqueta in, who usually takes them very well,” Ancelotti said after the game.
Paqueta himself admitted he was sorry for the miss.
“I apologise for the missed penalty,” he said. “I’m sad. We probably would have won with that penalty. I’m very used to scoring at my club, I have great successes. Unfortunately, my anxiety to score made me make a decision before that final touch, so I think that’s what took me away from taking the penalty as I usually do and I ended up not converting it.
“I’ll try to put myself in those circumstances to improve in that sense, to convert in the next opportunity and help the team.”
Despite Brazil ending the year without a win, Estevao highlighted how much progress he has made. The winger, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in the summer for £29 million, has settled swiftly in England and already has five goals in his first 11 games for the national team.
“It’s been a very special year,” he said. “I don’t think I 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’m very happy to represent the national team.
“Obviously, we always come here to help, and I’m very happy about that.”