Brazil’s national team boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no “anti-Haaland plan” when his team face Norway in the last eight of the World Cup later today.
Ancelotti’s team will face Norway in New Jersey at 22:00 European, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
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On our Live service you can follow Brazil against Norway and unfortunately for Brazil, TV2 reports that Norway’s hard-fighting defender Julian Ryerson is well again and ready to compete.
Brazil have not exactly convinced so far in the tournament, but are still unbeaten in four games – and are coming off a dramatic victory over a strong favourite Japan in the previous round.
With Gabriel and Marquinhos, the Selecao probably have the tournament’s most formidable centre-back pairing. But that claim will be put to a serious test when they face Erling Haaland – the man who already has five World Cup goals and 60 goals in 53 caps for Norway.
The Scandinavians are hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the very first time – but Ancelotti is clear that there will be no special plan to stop the City striker.
“I don’t think there is such a thing as an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan,” Ancelotti said before the game.
“I don’t have to tell my players how to defend themselves. They have met several times.
“Our team is in optimal condition, but we have to keep improving.
The Italian added:
“Everyone knows how he works. I have nothing to explain to my defenders about how to play against him. They’ve obviously played against him several times, so we’re just focusing on being well prepared – understanding the fundamentals of the opponent. We know that they are very dangerous offensively.
“Norway is a challenging team – a team with structure and very good organization. We have to play at our best level, and I think we are at a point where we can, because we are confident after a demanding win against Japan.
Solbakken: “We have to be at our very best”
Norway’s coach Ståle Solbakken played down his chances against the five-time world champions – and insists that the team starts as underdogs.
Solbakken’s decision to rest most of the first-team players in the group final against France paid off when Norway beat Ivory Coast in the round of 32. But he knows that Brazil is a completely different challenge.
“Brazil has one of the best defensive pairs in the tournament – two players at the top international level,” Solbakken said.
“There will be some tough duels between them and Erling, but for me it’s more about Brazil against Norway.
“Brazil are favourites, of course they are, but we hope that we give them a fight. We have to be at our very best – otherwise we have no chance.
Key figures
- Their only previous World Cup meeting was in 1998, when Norway won 2-1 in Marseille
- Erling Haaland has scored 50 percent of Norway’s goals in the 2026 World Cup
- Brazil have been beaten by the first European team they have faced in the playoffs of every World Cup since 2002
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