Brazil face Norway in World Cup last 16 with old record at stake

Brazil play Norway in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a quarterfinal place and an unusual head-to-head record on the line. Al Jazeera reports that Brazil have never beaten Norway in four previous meetings, a run that includes Norway’s 2-1 win at the 1998 World Cup.

The match is scheduled for 4pm local time at New York New Jersey Stadium, or 20:00 GMT, according to Al Jazeera. The winner will face either Mexico or England in the quarterfinals in Miami on Saturday, July 11.

How they reached this point

Brazil topped Group C after beating Scotland and Haiti and drawing with Morocco, Al Jazeera reports. Carlo Ancelotti’s side then needed a stoppage-time goal to beat Japan 2-1 in the round of 32 after falling behind.

Norway finished second in Group I, with wins over Iraq and Senegal before a defeat by France. Al Jazeera reports that Norway then beat Ivory Coast 2-1 late in the round of 32, securing the country’s first World Cup knockout win after earlier exits to Italy in 1938 and 1998.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who played in the team that defeated Brazil in 1998, said Brazil were favourites but that his side was playing to win and reach the quarterfinals. “It’s possible, but it’s very difficult,” Solbakken said, according to Al Jazeera.

Vinicius and Haaland lead the billing

Vinicius Jr enters the match as Brazil’s leading scorer at the tournament with four goals, according to Al Jazeera. He scored in all three group-stage matches, becoming the first Brazilian since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 to do so at a World Cup.

Erling Haaland has been Norway’s main finisher, with five of the team’s 10 goals at the tournament, Al Jazeera reports. The 25-year-old is making his World Cup debut and is trying to help Norway reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Brazil also have recent history to confront against European opponents. Al Jazeera reports that Brazil have gone out in each of their past six World Cup knockout matches against European teams since beating Germany in the 2002 final.

Odds, injuries and likely teams

Opta’s model gives Brazil a 53.6 percent chance of winning in regulation time, according to Al Jazeera. Norway are rated at 22.4 percent, with a 24 percent chance that the match goes to extra time.

Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta has a hamstring injury from the previous match, Al Jazeera reports. Raphinha, who had the same issue earlier in the tournament, has returned to individual training and could be on the bench, while Norway defender Julian Ryerson is out with a thigh injury.

Al Jazeera lists Brazil’s predicted lineup as Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Martinelli; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius in a 4-3-3. Norway’s predicted 4-3-3 is Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.

How to watch

Al Jazeera reports that the match will be shown in Brazil on SBT and CazeTV, in Norway on TV2 and NRK, in the United Kingdom on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, and in the United States on FOX, FOX One, the Telemundo App, Telemundo Network and Peacock.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.