Brazil is going home. And the moment that really swung this round of 16 match wasn’t a thunderous strike or a last-ditch tackle. It was a penalty decision at the end of a run that looked routine.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha drew a foul in the box to earn Brazil a penalty in the first half. Vinicius Junior stood over the ball, then deferred to Bruno Guimaraes at the last second. It was a weird call on the fly. And it backfired completely. Guimaraes put his shot low and central. Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland didn’t have to move far to make the save.
Norway made Brazil pay. Erling Haaland, quiet for most of the first hour, headed his side ahead late in the second half. Then he drove a low shot past Alisson from outside the box to make it 2-0. That second goal sealed it. Norway is through to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history. They’ll face either England or Mexico.
Cunha played 58 minutes before being subbed off for Endrick. He put one shot on target but it didn’t trouble Nyland. He completed seven of eight passes (88 percent), touched the ball 23 times, drew one foul and had three carries. Defensively he chipped in with one interception and three clearances. He won one of two ground duels.
But here’s the thing. After Cunha left the field, Brazil’s attack went flat. Their offensive output dropped noticeably. In hindsight, Carlo Ancelotti probably wishes he kept Cunha on the pitch. The team looked more dangerous with him out there even if the goal contributions weren’t there on the scoresheet.
Neymar came off the bench and converted a late penalty won by Casemiro. But that was just a consolation goal. It didn’t change the result. It didn’t change the feeling around this Brazil side that crashed out earlier than anyone expected.
For Cunha, the focus now is recovery and getting back to Manchester United. But this World Cup exit is going to sting for a while. Brazil had chances. That missed penalty was the hinge point. And Norway took full advantage.
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