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History doesn't repeat, but it often rhymes, and the rhyme carries a note of dark comedy.

• In 1998, Norway won 2-1 against Brazil, sending Brazil into a dramatic last group-stage match and advancing themselves to the knockout phase for the first time in history.
• In 2026, Norway won 2-1 against Brazil, sending Brazil out in the Round of 16 and claiming their first-ever spot in the quarterfinals.

28 years, the same foe, the same score, the same scene of the "Samba Army kneeling in agony." Only this time, it is Neymar on his knees and a bewildered "world's top coach" Ancelotti standing on the sidelines.

Congratulations to Norway! You didn't just win the match, you made history!

This is no mere upset. This is a century-old stamp of "Brazil's Nemesis"!

In Brazil's 112-year national team history and 1,072 international 'A' matches, Norway is the only opponent they have never beaten. In five encounters, Brazil has three losses and two draws, as if Norway has engraved "never back down against any challenge" into their DNA. Haaland? He is merely the sharpest weapon on Norway's tactical chart, scoring a brace with his head and feet, netting 7 goals in 4 matches (matching Mbappé and Messi), while treating Brazil's defense as practice cones.

Now let's look at Brazil—or rather, at Ancelotti's theatrical disaster.

Before the game, the whole world was hyping: Ancelotti is here, tactics are upgrading, the sixth star is a sure thing.

After the game, the stats tell a different story:

• Possession at 34%—Brazil's lowest in World Cup history since record-keeping began in 1966.
• Shots on goal 4-5—dominated by Norway.
• ❌ Missed penalty: When Vinícius handed the kick to Guimarães, he sent the ball straight into the hands of Norway's goalkeeper.

Ancelotti, are you coaching Brazil or paying a "reverse tribute" to their legacy?

You threw the "Ginga" (the flair of Samba football) into the Atlantic and replaced it with an Italian-style "catenaccio," only to have the chain snap.

You benched Neymar citing "tactical needs," only to rely on him in the final moments to salvage some dignity via a penalty. If he scored, it would be "he tried his best"; if he missed, he'd be the scapegoat. Quite the script you've written.

The most shocking part: Danilo's right-back performance looked like a casual stroll, making people forget that Cafu and Alves' jerseys remain untouched in storage—no one dares to fill their shoes.

After 36 years, Brazil finally "fulfilled a dream."

They were eliminated in the Round of 16 in 1990, and again in 2026.

In those 36 years in between, they managed 2 titles, 1 runner-up finish, and 2 fourth-place finishes. Now they have set a new "floor."

Once it was "Brazil never loses." Now it's "Brazil can lose to anyone, but they absolutely must lose to Norway."

Finally, credit to Norway.

They don't have Neymar's tears, Ancelotti's "philosophy," or a squad worth 928 million euros. But they do have Haaland's headers, Schjelderup's feet, and a 28-year tradition of using Brazil as a scoring machine.

Quarterfinals: England or Mexico?

Doesn't matter. Against Brazil, you are always the "undefeated warriors."

As for Brazil?

Don't rush to fire the coach. First ask Ancelotti: "Boss, is this 2-1 tuition fee reimbursable or payable in installments?"

P.S. Norwegian fans can start practicing their quarterfinal anthem now. They should just lift the lyrics from the 1998 game, since the scoreline remains the same.

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