Two of football's most electric forwards, Vinícius Jr and Erling Haaland, headline one of the standout Round of 16 ties as Brazil face Norway at New Y
Two of football’s most electric forwards, Vinícius Jr and Erling Haaland, headline one of the standout Round of 16 ties as Brazil face Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
History favours the underdog here. Remarkably, Norway have never lost to Brazil in four previous meetings, including a famous 2-1 win at the 1998 World Cup group stage — the only other time these sides have met at football’s biggest stage. Brazil will hope this is finally the fifth time proving the charm.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side topped Group C with wins over Scotland and Haiti and a draw with Morocco, before needing a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli winner to edge past Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32.
Injury concerns cloud their midfield, with Lucas Paquetá in doubt after a hamstring issue and Raphinha only just back in individual training.
Vinícius Jr has been Brazil’s talisman, becoming the first Brazilian since 2002 to score in all three group matches.
Norway, meanwhile, finished second in Group I and squeezed past Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the knockouts for the first time since 1998.
Erling Haaland has been sensational, directly responsible for five of Norway’s ten goals at the tournament — a remarkable output for a 25-year-old at his maiden World Cup.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães, who has battled Haaland regularly in the Premier League, looms as Brazil’s key defensive weapon against the towering striker, though Norway may look to exploit Brazil’s fullbacks through wide men like Antonio Nusa.
Statistical models make Brazil favourites, giving them roughly a 54% chance of winning in regulation compared to Norway’s 22%, with the rest split toward extra time. Whoever wins advances to a quarterfinal against either Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.
Probable line-ups
Brazil
4-2-3-1
Alison (GK)
Danilo, Malgahaes, Marquinhos, Santos (DF)
Casemiro, Guimaraes (DM)
Vinicius, Martinelli, Rayan (AM)
Cunha (ST)
Norway
4-3-3
Nyland (GK)
Pedersen, Ajer, Lysaker Heggem, Wolfe (DF)
Berge, Berg, Odegaard (MF)
Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth (FW)
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