Forty-five minutes of drama, two world-class saves, a disallowed goal, a missed penalty, and the scoreboard still reading 0-0. The first half of Brazil vs Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 has delivered everything but a goal. The New Jersey Stadium is buzzing — and the second half promises even more.
The action continues live on ZEE 5 — stream the second half of Brazil vs Norway right now with a ZEE 5 FIFA subscription. The ZEE 5 Quarterly Plan at ₹799 gives you full access to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Norway Strike Early — But Sørloth Ruins the Party
Norway came out pressing from the first whistle. Three minutes in, Patrick Berg curled a clinical effort into the back of the net and the Norwegian supporters inside MetLife erupted. The celebration lasted about 90 seconds.
VAR stepped in. A check on the build-up revealed Alexander Sørloth had drifted just a fraction offside before delivering the cross that led to the goal. The flag went up. Berg’s strike — the kind of goal that wins matches — was chalked off.
A brutal start for Norway. But they shook it off quickly.
Brazil Win the Penalty, Then Waste It
Brazil responded with their own threat. Between the 11th and 12th minute, Matheus Cunha burst into the box and was brought down by a clumsy slide tackle from Kristoffer Ajer. The contact was clear. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, and a quick VAR review confirmed the decision.
Brazil had their chance to take the lead. Then came Carlo Ancelotti’s surprise. Rather than handing the ball to Vinícius Júnior, the Brazil manager chose Bruno Guimarães to take the penalty.
Guimarães attempted a stutter-step run-up. Ørjan Nyland read every pixel of it — diving low to his left to produce a massive parry. The ball stayed out. The stadium exhaled. Brazil had handed Norway an enormous lifeline in the 14th minute.
Two Keepers, Zero Goals
After a hydration break around the 23rd minute, Norway began to impose themselves on the ball. Brazil, for their part, remained dangerous from turnovers — pressing high and committing bodies forward whenever Norway lost possession.
The first genuinely dangerous Norwegian chance arrived in the 37th minute. Martin Ødegaard found space at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike that sailed just inches wide of Alisson Becker’s near post. The ball went past the keeper,
The final exchanges of the half were relentless. In the 45th minute, Ødegaard turned the ball over in his own half, and Vinícius Júnior was away on a clean breakaway. Nyland came off his line and produced a brilliant reflex leg-save to deny Brazil’s most dangerous forward.
Then, in the 45+3rd minute, Alisson was called into action at the other end — a stunning one-on-one reflex save to deny Ødegaard’s ferocious strike right on the stroke of half-time.
And the drama still wasn’t done. In the 45+4th minute, Gabriel Martinelli missed a golden chance to break the deadlock, completely mistiming his jump on a cross from Rayan on the right flank and failing to connect with his header.
Where the Match Stands
Brazil have the better squad on paper and will feel they should be ahead. The penalty miss is the story of the first half. Guimarães is an excellent midfielder, but this was Vinícius Júnior’s moment to take — and Ancelotti’s decision will face severe scrutiny if Brazil fail to win this.
Norway have been compact and dangerous on the break, and Nyland — who has been outstanding — has kept them in it. Ødegaard is pulling strings, creating chances, and Brazil’s backline has not looked entirely comfortable.
Two keepers have made this half. Now it is the turn of the forwards.
Don’t miss a second of the second half. Brazil vs Norway is live on ZEE 5 — the official streaming home of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in India.
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