Norwegian football fans have never seen their national team lose to Brazil. Now, almost three decades after Kjetil Rekdal’s famous penalty sent Norway into the knockout stages of the 1998 World Cup, thousands of Norwegian bettors believe history could repeat itself.
Exclusive betting data from Coolbet shows that 40% of all money staked by Norwegian customers on Sunday’s World Cup last-16 clash has been placed on Norway to defeat the five-time world champions. With total turnover now exceeding €72,800, Norwegian belief appears to be running remarkably high.
A Nation Is Backing Haaland And Co.
Despite Brazil entering the match as favourites at 1.82, Norwegian customers have shown extraordinary confidence in Ståle Solbakken’s side.
Of the €72,844 wagered so far:
- 52% (€37,593.76) has been placed on Brazil.
- 40% (€29,029.34) has backed Norway.
- 9% (€6,220.62) expects the match to finish level after 90 minutes.
The ticket numbers tell a similar story. Brazil have attracted 14,059 bets, while 5,843 individual tickets have been placed on Norway. The draw has generated 5,014 tickets. Considering Brazil’s status as five-time world champions, the figures reveal a level of optimism few would have expected before the tournament began.
History Says Brazil Should Be Worried
Norwegian optimism is not built solely on emotion. History is firmly on Norway’s side. Remarkably, Brazil have never defeated Norway in men’s international football.
The countries first met in Oslo in 1988, drawing 1-1 before Norway stunned a star-studded Brazilian side 4-2 in a friendly nine years later. The most famous meeting came at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Needing victory to reach the knockout stage, Norway produced one of the greatest results in the nation’s football history. Tore André Flo equalised late on before Kjetil Rekdal calmly converted an 89th-minute penalty to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brazil and send Drillo’s side into the last 16.
The nations met again in 2006, with Norway earning another 1-1 draw. The overall record now stands at two Norwegian victories and two draws.
This Norway Team Believes
There are obvious differences between the famous class of 1998 and today’s squad, but there is also a growing sense that this generation is capable of producing something special. Norway have already exceeded expectations in North America.
After recovering from a heavy opening defeat to the United States, Solbakken’s side have grown stronger with every match before defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 to claim their first-ever World Cup knockout victory. Erling Haaland’s late winner has only strengthened belief that this team can compete with anyone left in the tournament.
Brazil, meanwhile, have improved as the tournament has progressed but have hardly looked invincible. Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed a comeback to beat Japan in the Round of 32 and now face one of the few international teams they have never managed to conquer.
Patriotism Or Genuine Belief?
Some of the money on Norway will naturally be driven by patriotic support. Yet it is difficult to dismiss the numbers entirely. Few nations can boast an unbeaten record against Brazil.
Even fewer arrive at a World Cup knockout match carrying the confidence generated by a player of Erling Haaland’s calibre and a history that continues to frustrate football’s greatest football nation. Whether sentiment or statistics prove decisive remains to be seen. But one thing is already certain: four in ten Norwegian bettors are backing Norway to continue their remarkable unbeaten record against Brazil.