Brazil lose Lucas Paqueta for Norway World Cup knockout clash
The Selecao have been dealt a second injury blow ahead of their Round of 16 meeting with Norway, with Lucas Paqueta ruled out alongside Raphinha.
Brazil have suffered a major setback ahead of their World Cup Round of 16 tie against Norway after Lucas Paqueta was ruled out with a muscle problem. The West Ham midfielder joins Barcelona winger Raphinha on the sidelines, leaving manager Carlo Ancelotti with a reshuffled midfield for the knockout clash. The news comes after Brazil squeezed past Japan in dramatic fashion, thanks to a last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli strike that sealed a 2-1 win and secured their place in the next round.
Norway, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence after a hard-fought victory over Ivory Coast. Erling Haaland netted a late winner for the Scandinavian side, underlining the threat they pose on the counter-attack. With nothing to lose, Stale Solbakken's men will look to exploit any disjointedness in the Brazilian setup, particularly in midfield where Paqueta's creativity will be sorely missed. Ancelotti had already been preparing to cope without Raphinha due to a hamstring injury, but the loss of a second first-team regular compounds his selection problems.
The positive news for Brazil is that Bournemouth winger Rayan is expected to be fit after emerging as a surprise breakout performer in the tournament. The teenager has deputised effectively for Raphinha in recent matches and is likely to retain his place on the flank. However, the situation regarding Paqueta is more worrying. Reports indicate the midfielder has been ruled out of the Norway match and is in danger of missing the remainder of the competition if Brazil progress further.
Ancelotti now faces a difficult choice in midfield. With Paqueta out, the Italian has limited straight-swap options to partner Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro. Ederson dos Santos and Fabinho offer a more defensive profile, while Danilo Santos lacks experience at this level. Alternatively, Ancelotti could tweak the system by deploying a traditional playmaker further forward. Neymar Junior is back to full fitness and is capable of operating as a number 10, while Matheus Cunha could drop into that role, allowing Igor Thiago, Martinelli or Endrick Felipe to lead the line.
The match against Norway promises to be a stern test of Brazil's depth and adaptability. Norway's attacking quality, spearheaded by Haaland, means the South Americans cannot afford a slow start. Ancelotti's tactical decisions in the coming days will be crucial as the Selecao aim to avoid an early exit and keep their World Cup dream alive. The latest news from the camp is that the manager is weighing up his options carefully ahead of the knockout showdown.