Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil go up against a Norway side who are inexperienced at this stage when they meet in New Jersey in the last 16 Sunday.
Brazil only topped Group C on goal difference after claiming seven points and survived another scare in the last 32 as they needed to come from behind and net a stoppage-time winner to beat Japan 2-1.
That was the first time Seleção won a World Cup knockout game from behind since toppling England in the 2002 quarter-finals en-route to glory, and it’s hard to see just what could derail a Brazil side who’ve won nine of their last ten last 16 matches at this tournament.
The opposition muddy the water somewhat though, as Brazil have incredibly lost each of their last six post-group stage World Cup games against European opposition.
Norway finished as runners-up in Group I after rotating almost their entire starting XI on matchday three against France with a top-two finish already secured by back-to-back victories.
Ståle Solbakken’s rotation paid off as his side beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the last 32, with that the Scandinavian nation’s first-ever World Cup knockout success after defeats to Italy in both 1938 and 1998.
Boss Solbakken played in the latter of those Italian-inflicted heartbreaks 28 years ago, and must now attempt to mastermind what would arguably be the Vikings’ greatest-ever result as they bid to bypass the last 16 for the first time ever at this tournament, something 15 wins from their last 20 matches suggest they’re more than capable of doing.
Norway are unbeaten in their four head to heads against Brazil to date, with that sequence including a 2-1 victory at the 1998 World Cup
Vinicius Jr, Haaland light up New Jersey as Brazil battle Norway for q-finals ticket
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