Key Facts
- Brazil enters the Round of 16 on the back of five unbeaten matches and four wins in its last five games, which gives Ancelotti’s team clear stability.
- Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 under pressure; Casemiro equalized, Gabriel Martinelli scored late, and Bruno Guimarães delivered the decisive pass.
- Norway scores consistently but continues to concede chances; their wins against Iraq, Senegal, and Ivory Coast were offset by a decisive 1-4 loss to France.
- Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá are out with thigh injuries, weakening Brazil’s right flank and the creative control behind Matheus Cunha.
- Erling Haaland remains Norway’s key player on offense, having scored the late winning goal against Ivory Coast off a pass from Patrick Berg.
- The betting markets favor Brazil at around 1.8, bolstered by their unbeaten streak, consistent goal-scoring, and Norway’s ongoing vulnerability to conceding goals.
Ahead of Brazil’s World Cup Round of 16 clash with Norway on Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti must reshuffle his right flank. Winger Raphinha is out with a thigh injury. Although he has resumed individual training, he did not return to team training in time and will not be fit for this round of 16 match, making Rayan the obvious choice on the right wing following his strong performances in the tournament. Lucas Paquetá is also out with a thigh injury and will miss Brazil’s round of 16 match. Brazil enters the match on a five-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, while Norway has shown enough offensive authority to make this more than just the usual story of the favorite versus the underdog.
- Date and Time: July 5, 2026, 10:00 p.m.
- Competition: World Cup (Round of 16)
Nevertheless, the more promising bets are closely matched: Brazil to win, Both Teams to Score: Yes, and Over 1.5 Goals – First Half. Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá’s injury-related absences could slightly loosen Brazil’s control, while Erling Haaland gives Norway a credible path to the goal.
Brazil Form & Record Check
Brazil’s 2-1 win over Japan in the Round of 32 didn’t go as smoothly as Ancelotti would have liked, but it showed that this team can turn a game around under pressure.
Casemiro equalized, Gabriel Martinelli scored late, and Bruno Guimarães delivered the decisive final pass. That’s exactly the kind of response that counts in knockout soccer, especially after Brazil fell behind early. Across all competitions, Brazil has won four of its last five games and drawn one. Following a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their World Cup opener, they went on to defeat Scotland 3-0 and Haiti 3-0. Douglas Santos has become a key stabilizing force on the left, while Neymar’s availability gives Ancelotti another offensive option should he want more composure and creativity between the lines.
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to line up Brazil in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alisson expected to start in goal behind Danilo – 13, Marquinhos – 4, Gabriel – 3, and Douglas Santos – 16. Casemiro – 5 and Bruno Guimarães – 8 are expected to anchor the midfield, while Neymar – 10 and Vinicius Junior – 7 retain central roles in the offensive scheme. The biggest question mark is on the right. Raphinha – 11 is out with a thigh injury. Although he has resumed individual training, he did not return to team training in time, so Rayan—who made a strong impression in his absence—is the obvious choice on the right side. Lucas Paquetá is also out with a thigh injury, so this projected starting lineup relies heavily on Neymar – 10 for creativity behind Matheus Cunha – 9.
Norway Form & Record Check
Norway’s most recent standout performance was the 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, a game that showcased both sides of Solbakken’s team. Antonio Nusa scored off an assist from Martin Ødegaard; Ivory Coast fought their way back into the game, but then Erling Haaland secured the winning goal late in the match off a pass from Patrick Berg. It wasn’t flawless throughout, but Norway remained composed at the decisive moment. Their World Cup form has been productive but inconsistent. Norway beat Iraq 4–1, defeated Senegal 3–2, and were then severely punished in a 1–4 loss to France before bouncing back in the knockout stage. The clear pattern: Norway continues to score reliably but also continues to concede chances. That makes their offensive confidence a real asset, while the gaps in their defense against Brazil’s pace down the wings are a cause for concern.
Norway is likely to line up in a 4-3-3, though this remains more of a projection than a confirmed starting lineup. Ørjan Nyland is expected to start in goal, with Kristoffer Ajer (3) and Torbjørn Heggem (17) likely to form the central defensive pairing. Patrick Berg (6), Sander Berge (8), and Martin Ødegaard (10) will anchor the midfield, while Erling Haaland (9) leads the attack.
Brazil vs. Norway Head-to-Head & Statistics
Head-to-head matches between these teams are not recorded in our data.
