Can Brazil resolve their curse against Norway in the knockout stage?
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Before Brazil–Norway, a look back at the Auriverde's black series against European nations in the final stages: six losses in five tournaments since 2006.
Brazil approaches its round of 16 against Norway with a thorn planted for several editions of the World Cup: the Seleção is trailing a series of setbacks against European nations during the knockout stages. Over the last five World Cups, the Auriverde have lost no less than six knockout matches against European teams.
After the world title in 2002 (2-0 in the final against Germany), the black streak began in 2006. During the quarter-finals of the German edition, France won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Thierry Henry in the second half. Four years later, in South Africa, Brazil stumbled again in the quarter-final: beaten 2-1 by the Netherlands, despite Robinho opening the score, the Dutch turned the match around with two goals from Wesley Sneijder.
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The most traumatic event will remain the 2014 semi-final, played in Brazil: humiliated in Belo Horizonte, the Seleção lost 7-1 to Germany, before then losing the small final against the Netherlands (0-3, goals from Robin van Persie, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum). In 2018, the Brazilians were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Belgium (1-2) and, in 2022, the match against Croatia went into overtime: Neymar had given the temporary advantage, but Bruno Petković equalized in the 117th minute and Croatia then won on penalties after the failures of Rodrygo and Marquinhos.
Summary of Brazil's knockout phase exits (since 2006):
- 2006 — Quarter-final — France 1-0
- 2010 — Quarter-final — Netherlands 2-1
- 2014 — Semi-final — Germany 7-1
- 2014 — Small final — Netherlands 3-0
- 2018 — Quarter-final — Belgium 2-1
- 2022 — Quarter-final — Croatia 1-1 (Croatia wins on penalties)
Sunday evening, against Norway, Brazil has the opportunity to put an end to this European “curse” and find positive sensations in the final phase. Whatever happens, this observation reminds us that, despite its status as big favorite on paper, the Seleção has experienced real difficulties in recent years when facing the old continent in direct elimination matches.