Brazil Vs Norway LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Martinelli Named In Starting XI In Place Of Injured Paqueta

Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe; Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa

SUBS: Sander Tangvik, Egil Selvik, Morten Thorsby, Leo Ostigard, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Fredrik Aursnes, Marcus Pedersen, Fredrik Bjorkan, Kristian Thorstvedt, Thelo Aasgaard, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Sondre Langas, Henrik Falchener

Alisson Becker; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes; Rayan, Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior; Matheus Cunha

SUBS: Ederson Moraes, Weverton, Neymar, Bremer, Ederson Silva, Alex Sandro, Raphinha, Leo Pereira, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Roger Ibanez, Igor Thiago

Stale Solbakken’s squad now seeks to shatter historical barriers, as Norway have never advanced beyond the Round of 16 in their tournament history, with previous campaigns ending in heartbreak against Italy at this very stage. Despite this, the Nordic side enters the contest with an aura of confidence, anchored by the surprising fact that they remain unbeaten across four competitive meetings with Brazil. This record includes the iconic 1998 World Cup encounter, where Norway pulled off a legendary victory against the South American giants. Armed with that psychological edge, the Norwegians are now determined to leverage their historic hoodoo over the Seleção to finally secure a landmark quarter-final berth.

Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the United States' FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA suspended the one-match ban that followed his controversial red card. Balogun, the U.S. team's top scorer with three goals, was sent off during the 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for an accidental collision with defender Tarik Muharemovic. Although FIFA's disciplinary committee maintained the red card on his record, it utilized Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the automatic one-game suspension for a one-year probationary period. This ruling, which mirrors previous interventions by FIFA to clear players like Cristiano Ronaldo, ensures the striker remains available for the Americans' crucial knockout clash in Seattle.

Norway secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash at the Dallas Stadium. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring for Norway in the 39th minute with a brilliant curling strike, but Ivory Coast leveled the contest in the 74th minute through a magnificent individual effort from substitute Amad Diallo. With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Erling Haaland proved the difference-maker, stabbing home a low cross from Patrick Berg in the 86th minute to seal the win. The victory sent Norway into the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998, setting up a blockbuster showdown against five-time champions Brazil.

Brazil secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, narrowly avoiding an early exit in Houston. Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggled during a difficult first half, falling behind in the 29th minute to a clinical strike from Kaishu Sano after a midfield turnover. However, Brazil emerged revitalized after the break, with Casemiro equalizing in the 56th minute via a powerful header from a Gabriel Magalhães cross. Despite persistent pressure and a strike against the post from Vinícius Júnior, Japan’s disciplined defense held firm until the final moments. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Gabriel Martinelli provided the decisive spark, slotting home a precise pass from Bruno Guimarães in the 96th minute to seal the win and send Brazil through to the Round of 16.

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026

Stage: Round of 16

Kickoff Time: 4:00 PM EDT (1:30 AM IST on July 6)

Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA

Referee: Ismail Elfath

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be telecast live on Unite8 Sports network on television. For live streaming, one can catch the action on the Zee5 app and website.

The winner of the Round of 16 clash between Brazil and Norway will advance to face either England or Mexico in the quarter-finals. The two potential opponents are scheduled to meet in their own Round of 16 encounter in Mexico City, and the victor of that match will secure a spot in the quarter-final fixture against the winner of the Brazil–Norway tie.

Neymar’s involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been carefully managed following a grade two calf strain sustained in late May. The 34-year-old forward missed Brazil's opening two group-stage fixtures as part of his recovery program. He finally made his return in the group-stage finale against Scotland, coming off the bench to play 15 minutes and proving his match fitness at a competitive level. However, he remained an unused substitute during Brazil's dramatic 2-1 Round of 32 victory over Japan. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti later explained that he had intended to deploy Neymar had the match reached extra time; however, with Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic 95th-minute winner deciding the game in regulation, the veteran forward was preserved to keep him fresh for the knockout stages. Ancelotti has since confirmed that Neymar is fully fit and available for selection ahead of the Round of 16 clash against Norway.

Casemiro is currently walking a disciplinary tightrope for Brazil, as he carries a yellow card from the Round of 32 victory over Japan. Under the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations, any player who accumulates two yellow cards during the knockout phase—specifically between the Round of 32 and the quarter-finals—will trigger an automatic one-match suspension. Consequently, should the defensive midfielder receive another caution in Brazil's next fixture, he would be sidelined for the subsequent quarter-final match. Given his pivotal role in protecting the backline, Brazil's coaching staff will likely be monitoring his aggression closely to ensure he avoids a costly booking during this high-stakes stage of the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 has officially commenced, setting the stage for an intense knockout phase. Morocco became the first team to advance to the quarter-finals after a convincing 3-0 victory over tournament co-hosts Canada in Houston, thanks to a second-half masterclass featuring a double from Azzedine Ounahi and a late strike from Soufiane Rahimi. They were joined by France, who secured their spot in the final eight following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia, where a crucial penalty from Kylian Mbappé proved the difference. These two sides are now set for a highly anticipated quarter-final clash at Boston Stadium on July 9.

Greetings, we are back with our FIFA World Cup 2026 live blog as Brazil and Norway face-off in the Round of 16 match. The action is about to begin, so stay tuned for all the live updates from New York New Jersey Stadium.