Brazil faces the round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup against Norway with a challenge that goes beyond qualifying for the quarterfinals.
The Brazilian team has not eliminated a European rival in a direct elimination phase of the World Cup since June 30, 2002when he defeated 2-0 to Germany in the final held in Yokohama to win his fifth world title.
Since then there have been 24 years without the Canarinha managing to overcome a UEFA team in a direct elimination match.
A streak that has continued since 2006
After the title obtained in Korea-Japan, Brazil accumulated a series of eliminations against European teams.
In Germany 2006 they lost 1-0 to France in the quarterfinals; in South Africa 2010 they lost 2-1 against the Netherlands; In Brazil 2014 they were eliminated by Germany with a historic 7-1 in the semifinals and later fell 3-0 to the Dutch in the match for third place.
The trend continued in Russia 2018, with the 2-1 defeat against Belgium in the quarterfinals, and in Qatar 2022, when Croatia eliminated the South American team in the penalty shootout after drawing 1-1.
A record that can be expanded
According to the records of the Spanish statistician Alexis Martín-Tamayo, MisterChipBrazil currently shares with Switzerland the most consecutive eliminations against teams from the same confederation in direct elimination phases of the World Cup.
If Norway eliminates Canarinha, Brazil will be alone with seven consecutive eliminations against European teams, an unprecedented streak for the five-time world champion.
The challenge against Norway
The match also represents an opportunity to break that trend.
Brazil comes to the duel led by the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the Canarinha’s first foreign coach in several decades, and with a squad made up mostly of footballers who compete in Europe’s main leagues.
Opposite them will be Norway, led by Erling Haaland, who will seek to expand one of the most adverse statistics for the Brazilian team in the last two decades.