Brazil and Norway in a knockout game!
I’ve seen it all online: “Norway was better”, “I preferred Ivory Coast”, “I didn’t want any” and “we’ll beat anyone”. I see Norway as a national team respectablebut Brazil is the clear favorite.
Of course, this is before the ball rolls.
Real data: 6th in the FIFA ranking against 31st. Norway is physical, well organized, with quick transitions, has the monster Haaland… and, in four gamesnever lost to Brazil (2 wins and 2 draws). The last meeting was a draw almost 20 years ago.
Brazil is technically superior, has more experience and usually dominates mid-table Europeans in World Cups. I see Norway as a “controlled European” — more predictable and easier to study than Ivory Coast.
In this World Cup, the favorites have been doing well (around 70% of the best ranked advancing). I imagine that Ancelotti will ask for maximum attention from Haaland — he alone decides a game.
Having great confidence in a Brazilian victory is not an unrealistic desire.
Until next time.
