IN arguably one of the most eye-catching ties in the round of 16, Brazil, five-time winners and a nation ubiquitous with international soccer’s showpiece international tournament, take on Norway, the talented underachievers who are back in the big time for the first time in 28 years.
Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland are the headline names and there’ll be talent aplenty on show at MetLife Stadium, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side kicked off their World Cup campaign at MetLife Stadium with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before convincing 3-0 wins against Haiti and Scotland, which saw them top Group C, with Vinicius Junior scoring in all three matches.
Brazil then faced Group F runners-up Japan in the round of 32, where they came from behind to win 2-1, substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner to break Japanese hearts.
Norway secured their place in the knockout rounds by winning their first two matches in Group I against Iraq (4-1) and Senegal (3-2), meaning they made 10 changes for an eventual 4-1 loss to France, progressing in second place.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken also makes one change to the starting line-up that beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the last 32.
Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, who picked up an injury against Senegal in the group stage, replaces Marcus Pedersen on his return.
Norway XI: Nyland, Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson, Berg, Berge, Odegaard, Nusa, Sorloth, Haaland.
Subs: Thorsby, Ositgard, Strand Larsen, Tangvik, Selvik, Aursnes, Bjorkan, Pedersen, Thorstvedt, Aasgaard, Schjelderup, Bobb, Hauge, Langas, Falchener.
Carlo Ancelotti makes on change to the Brazil side that overcame Japan 2-1 in the last-32 tie.
Former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is injured, so Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, who scored the late winner that sent the five-time winners through to the last 16, starts for the first time at this World Cup.
Brazil XI: Alisson, Santos, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Danilo, Martinelli, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Rayan, Vinicius, Cunha.
Subs: Ederson Silva, Sandro, Neymar, Raphinha, Weverton, Bremer, Pereira, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Endrick, Henrique, Ederson, Ibanez, Thiago.
ANALYSIS:
Brazil remain a luxurious work in progress. One of the team’s leaders, the constantly underestimated Danilo (he’s played for Real Madrid, Manchester City, Juventus and Flamengo) is under no illusions. Other teams are more talented, more complete.
The best team doesn’t always win and, besides, Brazil have more quality than many will have you believe. They have a goalkeeper, a couple of centre-backs, midfielders and wingers who are or once were among the top five players in the world in each of their positions. Vini Jr has stepped up. Bruno Guimaraes has, quietly, been one of the players of the tournament, too. Rayan has filled in for an injured Raphinha and, crucially, been prepared to defend.
The calm Ancelotti transmitted to the team when they were 1-0 down and panicking against Japan made a real difference, as did his immense experience. He was arguably the only person on the planet, aside from Casemiro’s friends and family, who thought it’d be a good idea to keep him on in the second half against Japan. That decision, and the one to bring Martinelli on, are why Brazil are still in the competition.
“Carlo Ancelotti, we’re coming for you!” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said in the dressing room after his team qualified for the round of 16. It was an interesting framing. How should we think about it? Does Norway fear the coach in the dugout more than the players on the field? “I’m 100 per cent sure I’m not a genius,” Ancelotti said. “I’m also 100 per cent sure I’m not a fool.”
They will need all of his nous if Brazil is to win a knockout game against a European team for the first time in 24 years.
Norway play with a sense of boyish freedom. The team’s innocence is uplifting – they are revelling in the opportunity to showcase their country’s identity. It’s like one big Boy Scouts trip.
It translates into their football. They’ve not been involved in a boring game yet, not even when Solbakken fielded his second string against France and ruined a day out for thousands who had paid only to see Haaland vs Mbappe.
Optimism runs through their play, and they have a healthy variety in attack; strong at set pieces, capable of countering, and able to control possession if they choose.
Solbakken has used Alexander Sorloth on the right flank, providing the team with another out ball who can drift inside to become a second striker in the penalty area. On the left, Antonio Nusa has been one of their best performers. His intricate dribbling and combination play were too much for Iraq to handle, and his curling finish against the Ivory Coast is one of the best the tournament has seen. Patrick Berg has added more drive to the midfield since replacing Fredrik Aursnes and can sharpen their possession.
Norway have resisted the temptation of using their two stars, Martin Odegaard and Haaland — in the best-kid-in-the-playground way that many smaller nations have done so in the past. Instead, Solbakken has sought to keep their roles defined.
Haaland, like at Manchester City, is not expected to drop in and link the play. He is allowed to stay on the periphery, then pounce. Somehow 99 per cent of the commentary during the Ivory Coast game was still spent lamenting Haaland’s lack of involvement and then he got his goal.
Odegaard has started to ball-hog a little as he tries to orchestrate but he has generally been asked to operate in his preferred areas on the right of midfield rather than dog-walking every single play from centre-back and then forward. Sander Berge is there to do that. There is trust and togetherness in this team that is not common at the international level.
How good are they overall, though? It’s still not entirely clear. Norway can go through spells where they look second-best and a little flat. Then they produce a 10-minute spell where they look like they could score every time they go past the halfway line.
Having not been on the big stage since 1998, any concerns about stage fright have been put to bed. The last-16 felt was probably par for the course. Now that they’ve reached that checkpoint, they pose a dangerous proposition as underdogs, shorn of expectations.
Of all the nations to throw a Haaland-shaped hammer at, Brazil is surely the most exciting.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: Brazil may finally end their 24-year wait for a knockout victory over European opposition, edging Norway 2-1 in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility could prove decisive. Brazil have looked increasingly composed under his guidance, with his calm in-game management already rescuing them against Japan. The midfield pairing of Bruno Guimarães and Casemiro provides balance between control and defensive solidity, while Vinícius Júnior’s growing influence gives Brazil the cutting edge in transition.
Although Norway possess the firepower of Erling Haaland and the creativity of Martin Ødegaard, Brazil’s experienced defence led by Danilo and their ability to control key moments may ultimately make the difference.
My Prediction: Brazil 3-1 Norway
Peter’s Prediction: Norway have every chance of producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brazil.
Ståle Solbakken has built a disciplined and confident side that refuses to rely solely on Haaland and Ødegaard. Patrick Berg has added energy to midfield, Antonio Nusa has been one of the competition’s most dangerous wingers, and Sørloth’s ability to drift inside creates additional attacking problems. Norway are equally dangerous from counter-attacks and set pieces, two areas where Brazil have occasionally looked vulnerable.
If Haaland gets even limited service, his clinical finishing could punish Brazil, while Norway’s growing confidence and freedom after reaching the knockout stage may help them overcome one of football’s traditional giants.
My Prediction: Brazil 2-3 Norway
Gbenga’s Prediction: Expect Brazil’s attacking quality to shine as they secure a convincing 3-1 victory over a fearless Norwegian side.
Norway’s adventurous approach, built around Antonio Nusa’s dribbling, Alexander Sørloth’s movement and Haaland’s finishing, is likely to create chances. However, that same attacking intent could leave spaces for Brazil’s pace on the counter.
Vinícius Júnior is in excellent form, while Rayan’s willingness to track back gives Brazil greater balance on both flanks. Bruno Guimarães has quietly been one of the tournament’s standout midfielders, and Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments could once again outfox Ståle Solbakken over 90 minutes.
My Prediction: Brazil 2-1 Norway
Gloria’s Prediction: A tight, tactical encounter could see Brazil grind out a narrow 1-0 victory through discipline and experience.
Norway have impressed with their structured attacking play, set-piece threat and well-defined roles for Haaland and Ødegaard. However, Brazil’s defensive organisation has steadily improved under Ancelotti. Danilo’s leadership, Casemiro’s experience and the composure of Brazil’s back line may limit Haaland’s opportunities inside the penalty area.
With Vinícius Júnior capable of producing a moment of brilliance and Brazil boasting greater experience in high-pressure knockout football, a single decisive goal may settle the contest.
My Prediction: Brazil 3-2 Norway