Flamengo youth product recalls Brazil v Norway '98, how to stop Haaland

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Coluna do Fla

·3 Juli 2026

Flamengo youth product recalls Brazil v Norway '98, how to stop Haaland

What was the last match between Brazil and Norway like?

The Brazil National Team returns to the field this Sunday (05) to face Norway in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. Seeking a spot in the quarterfinals, Brazil will need to beat the European team for the first time in history. Present in the last meeting between the teams, in 1998, former center-back Gonçalves, who came through Flamengo’s youth academy, recalled the clash.

– We dominated. We had more possession and created more goal-scoring chances. Unfortunately, they managed to score on a play by Tore André Flo. Then there was the penalty, which resulted in the 2-1 defeat. If you analyze the match, you’ll see that we were better. But that’s how the World Cup is: sometimes you make one mistake and end up losing -, Gonçalves told ‘Lance!’.

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How can Brazil ‘neutralize’ Erling Haaland?

Brazil’s main concern against Norway is striker Erling Haaland. The European team’s biggest name, the Manchester City (ENG) forward is the World Cup’s second-highest scorer, with five goals. Gonçalves therefore gave the formula for the ‘Seleção’ to neutralize the player.

To face him, Brazil will need to adjust its center-back pairing: one defender marks him and the other provides cover. It’s not possible to mark Haaland in a flat line; I believe Ancelotti will need to rethink the marking of the defensive line. Ideally, regardless of which side he drifts to, one center-back should stay tight to him while the other provides cover two or three meters away. This approach would prevent his greatest strength: the burst he makes between the center-backs at high speed. It’s very difficult to catch him in a sprint or beat him physically, because he combines speed, power, and a lot of strength. Therefore, the Brazilian defense needs to play with one man tight to him and another covering to prevent him from taking advantage of those physical attributes,” he added.

What is the head-to-head record between Brazil and Norway?

It is worth noting that the Brazil National Team has never beaten Norway. In four matches throughout history, there have been two draws and two wins for the Norwegians. The last match between the teams took place at the 1998 World Cup, in the group stage, when the Europeans beat the ‘Seleção’ 2-1.

07/27/1988 – Norway 1 x 1 Brazil – Friendly
05/29/1997 – Norway 4 x 2 Brazil – Friendly
06/23/1998 – Brazil 1 x 2 Norway – World Cup
08/16/2006 – Norway 1 x 1 Brazil – Friendly

Who could Brazil face in the World Cup quarterfinals?

If they advance past Norway, Brazil will reach the quarterfinals to face Mexico or England, who also play on Sunday (05). It is worth noting that, in the Round of 16, the Brazil National Team beat Japan 2-1 in a comeback win.

When is the match between Brazil and Norway?

The match between Brazil and Norway takes place this Sunday (05), in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. The ball starts rolling at 5:00 p.m. (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Brazil and Norway through its website, YouTube channel, and on social media. However, Globo (free-to-air TV), SBT (free-to-air TV), SporTV (pay TV), GE TV (Globoplay), and CazéTV (YouTube) will broadcast the match.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.