How did Brazil lose to Norway? Carlo Ancelotti's strategy costs five-time champions against Erling Haaland

19 hours ago 4

The names on paper make this seem a shocking result.

It wasn't, though. Norway didn't beat Brazil by luck. The Norwegians outclassed the Brazilians from start to finish.

Add to that an odd strategy from Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, and Norway is on its way to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Brazil, the five-time champions, have their drought continue. They're going home.

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How did Brazil lose to Norway?

Brazil didn't go out and try to take the game.

Instead, they let Norway have possession. Brazil tried to play on the counter. It didn't work.

Norway looked comfortable all match long, and even though it was goal-less for 78 minutes, the Norwegians never looked totally out of control.

Yes, they needed an early penalty save, but they also had an early goal called back for offside. Norway was solid throughout.

And because Brazil kept letting Norway have the ball, the inevitable happened: Erling Haaland scored.

First a header, then a left-footed rocket.

A 2-0 lead was undone only slightly be a very late penalty converted by Neymar.

But the reality is that Brazil took the wrong approach.

It's almost shocking that they decided not to take the game to Norway and instead sit back. They played like a smaller team, a team like an underdog.

And in the end, they lost. They got the result they played for.

Norway earned its victory, the biggest win in its history, one that Brazil seemed just a bit too content to allow.