Brazil shock Norway 4-1 to lead group
(fifaworldcup.com)
Updated: 2003-09-25 10:01

A rampant Brazil stunned European powerhouse Norway 1-4 in Washington DC’s RFK Stadium on 24 September, sending a message to the rest of the tournament regarding their prospects. They now lead Group B with six points, while Norway have three and will want to beat Korea Republic in their next match to be assured of progressing to the second round.

Brazil take on France next, looking to solidify their emerging status as a tournament power. The South Americans got first half goals from Daniela and Rosana, and second half tallies from Marta and Katia, while Marian Pettersen claimed Norway’s only reply.

After wins in their opening matches, the two teams started off full of confidence. Brazil had the first shot in anger with left-sided striker Maicon shooting just wide from a tight angle on the left (5’).

Not to be outdone in the early going, Norway hit back as captain Dagny Mellgren, in a similar a position to her goal against France, burst onto a flicked header, and firing left-footed, forced a fine save out of Andreia in the Brazil goal (7’).

But it was the South Americans who began to dominate. A long ball from the back by Tania found Formiga running on goal but she put too much weight on her lob and it cleared the bar by metres (10’).

Then the dangerous Katia, who had struck twice against Korea Republic, picked up a pass from Formiga and drove right-footed into the hands of Bente Nordby (20’). She had another go moments later after a strong run from the exceptional Marta, but the Brazilian number 17 was again thwarted by Norway’s experienced keeper (24’).

With so much pressure the inevitable goal duly arrived and Nordby could do absolutely nothing about it. Daniela took up the ball ten yards into Norway’s half and proceeded to jink through the European defence before firing a rasping 25 yarder low and true into the corner of the net for the best goal of the tournament so far (0-1, 26’).

Buoyed by their goal, the South American women were showing tricks and flicks their male counterparts would have been proud of. Defensive midfielder Renata Costa then struck an audacious shot from distance that crashed off the stanchion of bar and post. Maicon bundled the rebound into the net but she adjudged to have kicked the ball out of Nordby’s hands (30’).

It was not long before Brazil doubled their lead. A free kick from the right was swung in and Rosana, standing in space eight yards out, jumped and glanced a fine header inside the post (0-2, 37’)

Norway, one of the favourites for the title, appeared stunned. But just before half-time they showed all their fighting experience to pull a goal back. Right-back Brit Sandaune sent in a long cross and Pettersen, rising high, powered in a header for a record-breaking 65th strike for her country (1-2, 45’).

Spurred on by that goal Norway poured forward at the start of the second period.

Linda Ormen, who had come on for the disappointing Anita Rapp at the break, leaped like a salmon to meet a right-wing cross to force a fine save from Andreia (46’).

Mellgren then had a snapshot blocked (48’) and Solveig Gulbrandsen gave the Brazilian keeper more work with a tantalising cross-shot (50’).

Brazil rode out the Norwegian storm and scored themselves on the break. Marta, who had been fairly quiet up to then, beat three players on the edge of the box and slipped the ball to Maicon. Then when the Gremio player’s shot was beat out, who else but Marta was on hand to poke the ball into the unguarded net (1-3, 60’).

Eight minutes later and it was game over. The outstanding Formiga beat her woman in the inside left channel and stood the ball up inch-perfectly for Katia to head home off the face of Sandaune for her third goal of the championship (1-4, 68’).

Pettersen almost grabbed her second and a consolation for the Europeans but her speculative effort from 25 yards was spectacularly tipped over by the impressive Andreia (83’).

With Norway pushing forward, Brazil could have had added more but in the end four goals were enough to make the rest of the competition’s favourites sit up and take notice.

"I must congratulate Brazil. They were faster than us and were the best team today," said Norway coach Age Steen after the match. "We are much better than that. But have no fear we will come back in the next match."

Brazil coach Paulo Goncalves said despite the thrashing Norway still deserved to be ranked second in the world. But he made no secret of his ambition for his own team.

"It is important that we win the World Cup because if we come second or third it means nothing in Brazil," he said. "The players have only been together for 15 days so they still need time to create harmony."

Daniela, voted player of the match, admitted to being surprised at how well Brazil played: "I don’t think anyone including the U.S. will be looking forward to meeting us after that performance."