Brazil can’t fool Haaland

Without glory or prestige, Brazil exits the World Cup in a manner far removed from its rich history. This is far from the first tournament in which the Seleção has fallen short, not only in the final result but, more importantly, in the way it has played. It’s another failed attempt to live up to its own legacy. Against Norway, Brazil could have won and even deserved to for stretches, but Haaland’s finishing and Nyland’s miraculous saves decided the outcome.

Faced with Brazil’s current reality, Ancelotti has chosen a pragmatic approach, fully aware that this team lacks the star power of previous generations, no matter how hard Vinicius tries to prove otherwise. The Italian prioritized defensive solidity over attacking flair, but that strategy has brought little reward. His vision was to build a disciplined Brazil, sitting in a mid-to-low defensive block and pressing only when opponents restarted play. Even with four forwards against Norway—Rayan, Martinelli, Vinicius and Cunha—the team rarely committed numbers forward. The plan was simple: win the ball back and break quickly, ideally through Vinicius, who is clearly operating on a different level from everyone else. The approach has failed, and so has the decision to surrender possession.

Norway’s difficult first half

Norway, meanwhile, was never entirely comfortable with Brazil’s tactics. Ståle Solbakken’s team moved the ball slowly, struggled to release Haaland into space, and the wide players—with Sørloth pushed out wide—offered very little. It came as no surprise when both Nusa and Sørloth were substituted at halftime. Ødegaard also endured another frustrating performance, repeatedly making costly mistakes before finally improving as Norway grew into the game late on.

Under those circumstances, Norway’s chances of surviving seemed slim. They stayed alive because of Brazil’s poor finishing and, above all, Nyland’s brilliance. The former Sevilla goalkeeper challenged Vozinha’s status as the tournament’s standout goalkeeper. Norway clung to his saves, as well as Endrick’s missed opportunities. The slow tempo of Norway’s play gradually drained the energy from Brazil while giving the Scandinavians belief. Schjelderup added a different dimension after coming on, but Haaland ultimately settled the contest. It was a victory built around one extraordinary center forward, dominant in his duel with Gabriel Magalhães.

Haaland and Nyland exposed Brazil’s true level. Not even Ancelotti’s management—arguably too conservative throughout the tournament—could change the reality of a team in decline. The way Brazil plays inspires no one. What was once a luxury sports car has become an economy sedan. That might be understandable if this were Norway, but for Brazil, it simply isn’t.

Haaland: a giant

Norway’s first goal was another reminder of Haaland’s dominance in the air. Schjelderup created the opportunity with an excellent individual run, and Brazil had not defended the box particularly badly. Haaland simply overpowered Gabriel Magalhães.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.