I have to admit, I was expecting Brazil to find a way through this match. They had the experience, the quality, and enough attacking talent to trouble any team. But football has a funny way of reminding us that creating chances means nothing if you don't take them.
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For me, this game belonged to Erling Haaland.
He wasn't involved every minute, but that's what makes him such a dangerous striker. He can stay quiet for long periods, then suddenly produce the moment that changes everything. His header for the opening goal was typical Haaland, strong, well-timed, and impossible to stop once he got in front of his marker. The second goal was even more impressive. As soon as he let the shot go, I had a feeling it was ending up in the net.
Brazil only have themselves to blame. Missing an early penalty was a huge setback, and at this stage of the competition those mistakes usually come back to hurt you. Bruno Guimarães will probably replay that moment in his mind for a long time. Add Endrick's missed chance and the opportunities Vinicius Jr couldn't convert, and it's easy to see why Brazil are heading home.
I was happy to see Neymar return, even if it was only from the bench. His late penalty gave Brazil something to cheer about, but if we're being honest, it came too late to change the story of the match.
I also think Ørjan Nyland deserves far more praise than he'll probably get. Haaland will take the headlines, and rightly so, but Norway's goalkeeper kept his team alive with some brilliant saves before the goals arrived. Sometimes that's what tournament football is all about, your goalkeeper gives you a chance, and your striker finishes the job.
One battle I was really looking forward to was Haaland against Gabriel. Since they have faced each other many times before, I thought Gabriel would know how to deal with him. Instead, Haaland reminded everyone why he's considered one of the most feared strikers in world football. Give him the smallest opening and he will make you regret it.
Norway now have every reason to believe they can go even further in this tournament. When you have a striker in this kind of form, confidence spreads through the whole team. As for Brazil, another World Cup campaign ends with disappointment, and they will be wondering how a game they had chances to control slipped away from them.
That's football. Sometimes the better team on paper is not the one celebrating at the final whistle.
Posted Using INLEO
