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Why Vinicius Junior doesn’t take Brazil’s penalties as Bruno Guimaraes misses against Norway

· Yahoo Sports

Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images

Even though Vinicius Junior is Brazil’s biggest superstar and best player, he is not their designated penalty taker.

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Head coach Carlo Ancelotti trusts Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to take their penalties instead.

Well, Guimaraes’ penalty-taking ability was put to the test after Matheus Cunha was fouled against Norway in the World Cup Round of 16.

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland saved his spot-kick following a controversial stutter run-up.

Guimaraes’ miss would have left many football fans wondering why Vinicius Jr does not take Brazil’s penalties.

Why Vinicius Junior wasn’t Brazil’s penalty taker against Norway

Vinicius Jr’s below-average penalty record probably explains why Carlo Ancelotti prefers Bruno Guimaraes.

The Real Madrid winger has taken 19 penalties throughout his career, scoring 13 with a conversion rate of 68%.

Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Around 75-80 percent of penalties are scored, meaning Vini Jr is far from one of the world’s best penalty-takers.

He has missed two of his three penalties for Brazil, including his most recent against Venezuela in 2024.

Before his miss against Norway, Guimaraes had scored all three of his penalties (two for Newcastle and one for Lyon).

However, he had never taken a penalty for Brazil, raising questions about how he earned that responsibility.

It will be intriguing to see whether Guimaraes takes Brazil’s next spot-kick or whether Vini Jr is handed the ball.

However, Barcelona’s Raphinha is expected to resume penalty-taking duties when he returns from his hamstring injury.

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Thousands of arthritis patients could have hidden deadly lung disease, researchers find

· Daily Mail

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Jazz Agree to Two‑Year Deal With Josh Okogie, Adding Defensive Wing Depth

· Yahoo Sports

The Utah Jazz agreed to a two‑year, $12 million deal with free‑agent wing Josh Okogie on Friday night, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Okogie weighed interest from multiple teams before committing to Utah. The deal was finalized with Okogie and his agent, Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports Group.

Okogie, 27, arrives after a season in Houston where he averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 17.4 minutes, shooting 42.5% from the field and 72.4% from the line. He also posted 0.7 steals per game, a +1.7 net rating and held opponents to 45.8% shooting as the primary defender, according to ESPN’s tracking data. Okogie entered the league as a sub‑30% three‑point shooter, but last season he hit 38.5% on 2.1 attempts per game, including 41.2% on catch‑and‑shoot threes. Okogie also played in 78 games last season, making it the most he’s ever participated in during a single campaign, and he started in 32 of those games.

Across his career, Okogie has averaged 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists, but the Jazz are targeting him as a wing who can defend multiple positions and knock down open threes at a respectable clip. Utah has been searching for perimeter defenders, and Okogie fills that hole in the roster nicely.

Utah has minutes available on the wing, a need for defensive stability and a coaching staff that has focused on instilling physicality and versatility. Okogie’s skill set is in line with what the Jazz have been trying to build with their young core as they enter a new era striving for contention.

The move continues Utah’s trend of adding competitive, high‑motor players to the rotation. Okogie has carved out his career through effort and defense, and the Jazz have leaned toward players who bring that edge as they reshape the roster. His ability to pick up defensive assignments against point guards, wings and some small forwards gives Utah more lineup options, especially in matchups where they’ve struggled to contain dribble penetration.

With free agency underway and Utah still exploring additional moves, Okogie becomes the latest piece in a summer focused on fixing the team’s defensive concerns. His arrival doesn’t overhaul the roster, but it does address a clear need and gives the Jazz another reliable option on the wing heading into training camp.

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