The Vikings Keep Rowing

Brazil vs. Norway – LIVE starting at 10 p.m.

Erling Haaland single-handedly took down Brazil.(Bild: AP/Frank Franklin II)

The Vikings have struck again at the World Cup! The Scandinavians defeated five-time world champion Brazil 2-1 and are through to the quarterfinals! Once again, superstar Erling Haaland was the key player, scoring a brace. 

Before halftime, Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty kick for the Seleção; Norway’s goalie Örjan Nyland guessed the right corner and made the save (14th minute).

Haaland on par with Mbappé and Messi
The Norwegians, who were the more dominant side, sent the Brazilians into the valley of tears thanks to their star striker Haaland. Haaland scored in the 76th and 90th minutes, his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament. This puts him on par with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

(Bild: AFP/AL BELLO)

For Brazil, which managed a consolation goal by Neymar from the penalty spot (100th minute), this means another early World Cup exit. The Selecao’s last World Cup title was 24 years ago. Since then, the South Americans have been eliminated six times by European teams in the knockout stage.

Norway’s lightning-fast goal doesn’t count; nerves get the better of the Seleção
For Brazil, Gabriel Martinelli—the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over Japan—moved into the starting lineup in place of the injured Lucas Paquetá. Raphinha and Neymar remained on the bench initially. For Norway, fullback Julian Ryerson returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. Solbakken’s team got off to a strong start and scored after less than three minutes. However, Patrick Berg’s goal was disallowed because playmaker Alexander Sörloth was offside.

Brazil missed a penalty
On the other end, Kristoffer Ajer fouled Matheus Cunha in the penalty area (10th minute). After a VAR review, U.S. referee Ismail Elfath also pointed to the spot, but Bruno Guimaraes’ nerves got the better of him and he was denied by Nyland. Brazil subsequently allowed the Norwegians to push forward and waited for the Scandinavians to turn the ball over. Nyland made key saves against Gabriel Martinelli (31') and Vinicius Junior (40'). The Real Madrid star’s chance was preceded by a costly turnover by Martin Ödegaard in his own penalty area. The Norwegian captain also squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead in stoppage time, as Selecao goalkeeper Alisson was there to make the save (45’+3).

Norway’s goalkeeper Nyland saved a penalty kick.(Bild: Krone-Collage/AP/Stephen K.H. Moyes, AP/Yuki Iwamura)

Haaland once again outshone
Solbakken took wingers Alexander Sörloth and Antonio Nusa off at halftime and brought on Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup instead. The scene on the field remained the same: Brazil eschewed samba soccer, opting instead to counterattack. This nearly paid off when, after a dream pass from Vinicius, substitute Endrick fired wide with only Nyland to beat (59'). Rayan tested the Norwegian goalie from distance but shot too centrally (62'). Haaland, in turn, narrowly missed a pass from Ajer (67').

Norway remains undefeated against Brazil
Neymar then got in on the action, but the next chance fell to Schjelderup, whose shot was saved by Alisson (75'). Haaland finally did better, heading in a cross from Schjelderup. A deflected shot nearly caught Nyland off guard, but he managed to tip the ball onto the post (85'). But Haaland added another: The Manchester City striker scored with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that flew low past Alisson. A penalty kick by Neymar was ultimately just a consolation goal. Norway thus remains undefeated against Brazil.