A weird first half for the Norwegians, who have enjoyed two-thirds possession but are also coughing it up like hunks of phlegm during a bad bout of the flu (sorry, again). This is allowing Brazil to race off on those counter-attacks that are starting to feel a bit inevitable.
For Norway going forward, itโs long-ball central. And yet โฆ they could have been a goal up but for that correct offside call in the fourth minute. Having said that, they could also be a goal down but for Guimaraesโ failure to convert that penalty โ apparently the first Brazil player to miss one at the World Cup since 1986. That was the year before I was born, folks, and let me tell you that was a while ago.
Haaland hasnโt had much of the ball (10 touches, to be precise) because of the above, but he is still positioning himself well and, as we know, only needs a half-moment.
Odegaard, however, has been almost everywhere and should really have scored in stoppage-time. With time and space, he took a shot easily smothered by Alisson. That was their best chance of the half.
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