Fresh details have emerged about the fiery exchange between Brazil forward Neymar and Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland during Brazil’s shock 2-1 defeat in the FIFA World Cup round of 16.
Brazil, widely regarded as one of the favourites to win the tournament, crashed out after underdogs Norway staged a dramatic comeback, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scoring a late brace to send the Europeans into the quarter-finals at the expense of the tournament’s most successful nation.
Neymar, whose selection in Brazil’s squad had generated significant debate before the tournament, started the match on the bench and was introduced with the score level. However, he was unable to prevent his side from suffering an early exit.
The 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star did pull one goal back from the penalty spot in stoppage time after former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was adjudged to have been elbowed while challenging for a header.
Before Neymar took the spot-kick, Nyland attempted to unsettle the Brazilian with a tense verbal exchange. The Norway goalkeeper was already full of confidence after earlier denying Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from the penalty spot following a controversial VAR review.
According to DAZN, Neymar repeatedly asked Nyland, “where do you want it?” before stepping up to take the penalty.
Nyland fired back: “I’ll stop it for you, I’ll stop it.”
Despite the attempted mind games, Neymar calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score Brazil’s consolation goal.
After finding the net, the Brazilian walked towards Nyland and delivered another pointed message.
According to DAZN, Neymar told the Norwegian goalkeeper: “Not to me! Not to me!” — making it clear that such mind games would not work against him.
