So, what happened in 1998?
Well, that was 28 years ago, and the memories often become faded.
But Norway will remember and the team will take inspiration from the group match in the 1998 World Cup when they beat Brazil 2-1.
Bet, many of you didn’t know that!
Actually, as records stand, Brazil have lost twice and drawn twice against Norway.
Now, that is something to trigger deeper strategic introspection among the Brazilian training crew.
Norway will be a hurdle because the team has played with cohesion with Erling Haaland’s presence enough to trouble the other side.
Although Norway took part in the 1938 World Cup in France, their total presence at the highest stage is only four.
Their last World Cup presence was in 1998 in which they reached the round of 16, losing to Italy by one goal.
The current Norway team looks forward to achieving something more and they will not be intimidated by Brazil.
But football is a team effort and Haaland cannot be superman.
Norway’s biggest weakness is lack of defensive depth, hence the group stage four-goal defeat to France.
One may argue that Norway rested its key players that day but conceding four goals indicate a fragile back line.
The Samba boys on the other hand will be heading to the game to settle the 28-year-old score.
Their predecessors lost, now it’s up to them to redeem the honour and set the record straight.
Both Brazil and Argentina are showing scoring prowess as the tournament progresses and Vinicius Jr is becoming inexorable.
He is pacey, skilled and astute – the three pivotal qualities of a footballing predator.
Brazil has improved markedly since their drab opening against Morocco and die-hard fans are hopeful this time the wait for the 6th star will be over.
So, why such optimism?
Zahirul Islam, a journalist and a Brazil supporter, says: “the coach of Brazil, Ancelotti prefers a 4-2-4 formation which is mainly attack based, creating not one, not two but sometimes three strikers.”
For an opponent, this is unsettling because if they contain one or two attackers, a third or a fourth may be lurking in the shadows, added Zahirul.
There’s certainly a point in that reasoning.
A lot of Brazil supporters, however, decide to put aside strategy in favour of a gut feeling.
Most young fans think Brazil will win this match because their instinct says so.
Mazhar Mithun, a senior sports journalist and a sports vlogger, feels that the main strength of the Brazil side is the belief of a comeback and a win after conceding a goal.
In the match against Japan, Brazil looked edgy in the first half but dominated the second, playing a pressing game, added Mithun.
“If they can play like Brazil, the Samba spell will be too much for the Vikings to overcome.”
