After its victory against Japan, Brazil will face, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the solid Norway of Erling Haaland, a team which will play "the match of its life" on Sunday at East Rutherford, according to its goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

Published on: 05/07/2026 - 08:09Modified on: 05/07/2026 - 11:06

The five-time world champions face Haaland mountain. Brazil will face, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the solid Norway of Erling Haaland, a team which will play "the match of its life", in the words of its goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, Sunday July 5 in East Rutherford.

The Brazilians, who have been dreaming of a sixth star since 2002, showed improvement in their game throughout the matches, and the second half of the round of 16, against the Japanese who were leading at the break, was the most successful.

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Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who has established himself as the metronome of the Seleçao, delivered an assist - his fourth in four matches - to Gabriel Martinelli for the winning goal (2-1) in the final moments.

Vinicius Jr did not score, but remains the Auriverde's main offensive weapon. The Real Madrid striker, savior of his team for the first match against Morocco (1-1), has scored four goals since the start of the tournament.

On the right wing, Raphinha could return to his position after participating in collective training on Friday for the first time since his thigh injury.

The only downside, the withdrawal of midfielder Lucas Paqueta will force Carlo Ancelotti to change his playing pattern. He could opt for a natural replacement, like Danilo Santos, or integrate an additional attacker, like the young Endrick, 19, or Gabriel Martinelli.

Read alsoWorld Cup 2026: Brazil comes down to the wire against Japan and reaches the round of 16

The Erling Haaland threat

The other tenure expected by fans is that of Neymar. The top scorer in the history of the Seleçao (79 goals), injured in May, played part of the match against Scotland and is chomping at the bit on the bench.

“Norway is a difficult team, because it has structure, quality and good organization,” Carlo Ancelotti said at a press conference on Saturday.

“We have to play at our best level and I think we are at the right time to do it, because we have confidence in ourselves,” added the technician.

As for the threat Erling Haaland (5 goals in the tournament), "I don't need to explain to Gabriel (Magalhaes, from Arsenal), for example, how to score or play against Haaland, because he has already played against him several times, nor even to Marquinhos (from PSG)", he said.

Part of training on Friday focused on the threat of Norwegian aerial play with Manchester City center forward, who stands at 1.95m, Alexander Sorloth (1.96m) and central defender Kristoffer Ajer (1.98m).

Brazil has never beaten Norway (two defeats and two draws). He also hasn't defeated a European team in a World Cup knockout match since 2002, when he earned his fifth star in the final against Germany.

Norway offensive

On Saturday, coach Staale Solbakken said Norway should not be influenced by playing in a World Cup round of 16. “We have to play the match, not the circumstances,” he said at a press conference, adding that Brazil was “clearly favorite but not the big favorite” in this match.

“We are a team that cannot let Brazil play because we play attacking football,” he assured.

At the 98 World Cup in France, the Vikings beat the Seleçao (2-1) in the group stage to qualify for the round of 16 - their best performance - while inflicting their first World Cup defeat on Brazil since 1990. Solbakken was then part of the victorious team in France.

Asked on Friday about a possible "anti-Vini plan", Solbakken insisted on the fact that the Real striker was "a problem for all (opposing) teams when he plays well, and we will have to try to resolve this problem".

He also jokingly assured that he was not afraid of Neymar "as long as he stays on the bench".

Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, 35, praised the defensive qualities of his team who will have to play "the match of their lives" to win.

With AFP

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