Brazil and Norway meet on Sunday in a World Cup round-of-16 tie shaped by Erling Haaland’s form and Carlo Ancelotti’s calm approach. Despite Haaland’s prolific record, Brazil’s coach has avoided any special plan, while history favours Norway, who are unbeaten in four previous meetings between the countries.

Both teams reached this stage with 2-1 wins in the round of 32. Brazil came from behind to defeat Japan, while Norway edged Ivory Coast. Haaland has scored five times in three World Cup matches, after being rested for Norway’s final group game against France.

The Manchester City striker enters the tie on a stunning international run. Haaland has 25 goals in his last 13 competitive games for Norway, scoring in every one of those matches. Haaland could become the eighth European player to net in each of his first four World Cup appearances, and the first since Italy’s Christian Vieri in 1998.

Ancelotti has stressed that Brazil will not obsess over Norway’s number nine, instead trusting experienced defenders who already know Haaland well. “I don’t think there is such a thing as an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan,” Ancelotti said. “I don’t need to tell my players how to defend, they have faced each other a few times. Everyone knows how he works. I have nothing to explain to my defenders about how to play against him.

“They have obviously played against him several times, so we are only focused on being well-prepared for the match, understanding the basic characteristics of the opponent, and we know that they are very dangerous offensively. Norway is a challenging team, a team that has structure, has very good organisation, so we have to play at our best level, but I think we are at a time when we can play at our best level, because we are confident and have come out of a challenging match against Japan.”

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken echoed that broader focus, preferring not to dwell on Haaland’s past Premier League duels with Gabriel Magalhaes, who will partner Marquinhos in Brazil’s central defence. “Brazil has one of the best pairs of defenders in this tournament, two players who are at a top-notch international level,” Solbakken said. “There will be some tough duels between them and Erling, but it is more Brazil versus Norway for me.”

Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who regularly faces Haaland in England, underlined the importance of cutting service at source. “I have played against him and for me, he’s one of the best strikers in the world, along with [Harry] Kane, the Newcastle United man said. We have to try to prevent the ball from reaching him. It’s marking while attacking, as we say.There should always be someone stuck to him so as not to give him space, because we know that with one ball he can decide it; we must not give him that ball.”

Brazil vs Norway World Cup history and squad options

This will be the fifth meeting between Brazil and Norway in all competitions, and their second World Cup encounter. Norway won 2-1 at the 1998 tournament and remains unbeaten in this fixture, with two victories and two draws. Sunday’s game will also be the first between the nations to include Haaland.

Ancelotti has decisions to make in attack after the demanding tie against Japan. Brazil will have Raphinha available again, with the Barcelona forward back from a group-stage injury. It is unclear whether Ancelotti will reward Gabriel Martinelli, who came off the bench to decide the Japan match, with a starting role.

The tactical narrative centres on whether Brazil’s defence and midfield can restrict Haaland’s influence without losing their own attacking rhythm. Norway arrive with confidence from strong structure and organisation, while Brazil carry belief from their comeback win over Japan, setting up a tense battle for a quarter-final place.