Norway's Next World Cup Opponent, Schedule, and Key Dates
Norway secured their spot in the round of 16 with a narrow 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire in Texas. The match was tight until Antonio Nusa scored a stunning goal just before halftime. Côte d'Ivoire equalized with about 15 minutes left, hinting at extra time. Yet, Erling Braut Haaland, who has now scored in each of his first three World Cup appearances—a feat last achieved by Sándor Kocsis in 1954—snatched victory late after a team effort led by Patrick Berg.
Who Will Norway Face Next?
The next challenge for Norway is Brazil, scheduled for Sunday, July 5, at 4 p.m. ET in New Jersey. Brazil recently came from behind to defeat Japan thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s last-minute goal, marking the latest knockout stage winner in World Cup history. Both teams are on a relatively open side of the bracket, so whoever wins this match will have a promising path forward.
Norway's Possible Road to the Final
If Norway beats Brazil, they will likely face England in Miami for the quarterfinals. After that, Argentina could be waiting in Atlanta for the semifinals. These matches won’t be easy, but Norway seems confident they can take on any team.
Why Norway Could Trouble Brazil
Brazil is often the heavy favorite in any matchup, boasting five World Cup titles and participation in all 23 tournaments to date. Coached by Carlo Ancelotti, known for his Champions League success, Brazil remains intimidating. Still, Norway holds an unusual record: in four previous matches against Brazil, Norway has never lost. They earned draws twice in friendlies held in Oslo, claimed a 4-2 friendly win there as well, and even defeated Brazil 2-1 during the 1998 World Cup group stage, thanks to a late penalty by Kjetil Rekdal.
Brazil will enter this game without injured players Raphinha and Lucas Paquet, and their defense has looked shaky recently, allowing Japan to score through the middle. If anyone can exploit these weaknesses, it’s Haaland, who has been lethal so far. An upset could be possible.
