Rise of a Football God-Chapter 516: Round of 32; Brazil vs Norway

[FULL-TIME: Spain 4-3 South Korea]

After the thriller at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, USA, the next day, on the first day of July, it was finally time for another of the tournament favorites to take to the pitch for their first knockout stage game... Brazil.

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32]

[Match 3: Brazil vs Norway]

[Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA]

[Date: July 1st, 2026]

[Kick-off: 17:00 local time]

[Referee: Michael Oliver (England)]

The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was sold out, with over 82,000 fans in the stadium, turning it into a cauldron of noise.

The weather was dry at 33 degrees centigrade, Texas heat meeting Scandinavian cold steel.

The game forecast looked bright.

This one was marked long before kickoff. On paper, Brazil were the favorites; five-time champions, Group C winners, and boasting a deadly front life.

But Norway? They had Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and the fearlessness of a team with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Brazil was not just the favorite on paper, they were one of the favorites of the tournament, but Norway was a country that already proved their credentials this World Cup, and showed glimpses of exploding to become the biggest underdog story of the World Cup.

If Spain vs South Korea was a thriller, this was a game of Samba meeting a Viking Storm.

The question was a conundrum? Was it supposed to be weather Brazil could survive the Viking Siege, or if Norway could survive Brazil’s Samba?

Only time could tell.

Brazil started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Liverpool’s Alisson Becker in goal, while standing in front of him was a quadruple defense of Danilo, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, and Wendell.

In midfield was the duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes, while in attack was Rodrygo in right wing, Raphinha down the middle as the attacking midfielder, Vinicius Junior on the left, and Endrick through the middle as the striker.

Neymar suffered a knock in Brazil’s final group stage game, and so he was rested for this game.

As for Norway, they started in a 4-3-3, Nyland in goal, while ahead of him was a defensive quadruple of Ryerson, Ajer, Hanche-Olsen, and Bjorkan.

In midfield was the trio of Odegaard, Berge, and Thorsby, while in attack was Alexander Sorloth on the right, Erling Haaland leading through the middle as the striker, and Nusa in left wing.

FWEEE!

The game started.

What followed was one of the grittiest, most exhilarating matches of the tournament so far.

Brazil started with flair and tempo, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jnr. combining with frightening pace down the flanks.

Norway, deep and disciplined, were waiting for a moment to strike.

But then, BOOM!

Brazil struck early before the Norwegians could truly settle into the game.

It came in the 9th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from the Real Madrid mainstay, Vinicius Jnr.

A slick one-two between Raphinha and Rodrygo found Vini inside the box. The Real Madrid star faked one, cut inside, and rifled it into the top near post.

Brazil 1-0 Norway.

BOOM!

The yellow wall erupted.

Brazilian fans around the stadium went wild, celebrating, beating drums, even as they lit up the night with a loud noise.

After that goal, it was all Brazil, their Samba terrorizing the Norwegians all over the pitch. Norway barely held on, but then, against the run of play, Norway struck like true Vikings in the 29th minute.

Out of nothing, Odegaard lofted a ball between the center backs. Haaland bullied Militao off it and slammed a volley past Alisson, setting the stadium ablaze.

1-1.

Viking thunder in Texas!

Having been quiet for majority of this game, the fans of the Norwegian Viking charge erupted, making their presence known in the stadium.

After that equalizer, the momentum didn’t swing in Norway’s direction yet as Brazil kept on dominating the game.

Norway held on, but they could not hold on forever.

In the 42nd minute, Endrick struck.

A chaotic corner saw Norway half-clear. Bruno Guimaraes recycled the ball, chipped into the six-yard box, and somehow, the tiny Endrick found a way to leap to nod home.

2-1 Brazil!

Norway was shocked.

A dramatic end to the first half.

The second half was a battle of nerves.

Norway pressed higher. Odegaard began pulling strings. The Brazilian defense creaked under pressure.

And then in the 56th minute, the Vikings of Norway did it again.

This time, it was Alexander Sorloth.

A low cross from Nusa zipped through the box. Sorloth got ahead of Danilo and smashed it in at the near post.

2-2. Game on!

Brazil made changes. Neymar came in for Endrick, turning Brazil into a dynamic team without a natural striker. Carlo Ancelotti was back at it, bringing his Real Madrid voodoo to the national stage.

Casemiro also came on and added steel to the Brazilian team. The crowd sensed tension, and then...

BAM!

Yes, it was the aging magician, Neymar Jnr.

Neymar rolled back the years with another vintage World Cup goal.

It was an instinctive shot in the 71st minute, a rebound off a Raphina shot that he roofed from close range.

3-2. Brazil back in front.

Norway pushed for a third equalizer, throwing bodies forward.

And then... Erling haaland struck in the 89th minute.

BAM!

But it only hit the crossbar.

Just a minute later, a looping header from a Ryerson cross clipped the bar and bounced inches in front of the line. The bar to the rescue again.

So close. Yet so far for Norway.

[FULL-TIME: Brazil 3-2 Norway]

After South Korea, this time, it was Norway’s turn as they put up a valiant fight against the favorites before bowing out.

They fell with honor. Brazil marched on; shaken but sharpened.

Vinicius Jnr. won the man of the match award with his 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 successful dribbles, and 3 fouls won. It was a vintage performance.

When the heat was rising, he danced through the fire.

Ancelotti faced the media, and like a don, he said:

"We bent, but we didn’t break. That’s World Cup mentality".