South American powerhouse Brazil missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead against Norway in Sunday’s Round of 16 encounter, leaving fans frustrated as history seemed to repeat itself.
In the 14th minute, Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha was clearly fouled inside the box. Although the referee initially waved play on, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) stepped in and awarded Brazil a penalty after reviewing the incident.
Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior initially picked up the ball but eventually passed responsibility to Bruno Guimarães. The Newcastle United midfielder attempted a stutter-step run-up, only to see his effort easily stopped by Sevilla goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
The miss marked just the fifth penalty failure for Brazil in FIFA World Cup history, a rare event that unfortunately carries a troubling precedent for the Seleção.
On two of the previous three occasions when Brazil missed a World Cup penalty — in 1934 and 1986 — the team was knocked out of the tournament during the knockout rounds. This latest miss has once again stirred unease among supporters fearing a repeat of past disappointments.
Adding to Brazil’s concerns, they have never managed to beat Norway in any competitive meeting, recording two losses and two draws. As the match heads into the second half, all eyes are on whether the five-time world champions can overturn their luck and break this unlucky streak.
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