Brazil have won the World Cup five times. Norway are playing in their fourth. Yet Brazil have never beaten Norway in any of their four meetings — two Norwegian victories and two draws.
Their first encounter was a 1988 friendly in Oslo. Under coach Carlos Alberto Silva, Brazil were rebuilding. Romario scored for Brazil, but the match ended 1-1.
Nearly a decade later in 1997, Brazil traveled to Oslo again under Zagallo with a star-studded squad including Ronaldo and Romario. Everyone expected a comfortable Brazilian victory. Instead, Norway stunned the visitors 4-2. Tore Andre Flo scored twice, with Jakobsen and Ostenstad adding to the tally. Denilson and Romario scored for Brazil, but a shaky defense could not save them.
The most dramatic chapter came on June 23, 1998. In the World Cup group stage at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, Brazil had already secured qualification as group winners. Coach Zagallo fielded a full-strength squad including Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Bebeto. Norway needed a win to survive.
No goals came until the 77th minute, when Denilson delivered a cross and Bebeto headed Brazil ahead. But the lead lasted only six minutes before Tore Andre Flo equalized.
The real drama was yet to come. In the 89th minute, Junior Baiano pulled Flo’s shirt inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot. Kjetil Rekdal converted the penalty. Norway won 2-1 — one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Their last meeting was a 2006 friendly in Oslo under interim coach Dunga. Daniel Carvalho scored for Brazil, but Morten Gamst Pedersen equalized to make it 1-1.
The two teams have not met in 20 years. Tonight’s round-of-16 match will determine whether Brazil can finally end their long drought against Norway — or whether the Scandinavians will maintain their remarkable record.
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