Gabriel Martinelli replaces injured Lucas Paquetá in Brazil's starting eleven for the World Cup round of 16 against Norway. Coach Carlo Ancelotti opts for the Arsenal forward after his decisive goal against Japan.
Brazil will take the field against Norway in the World Cup round of 16 with a significant change to their starting lineup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected Gabriel Martinelli to replace Lucas Paquetá, who is sidelined by a left thigh injury. The decision, confirmed just hours before kickoff at the New York/New Jersey stadium, marks the only alteration from the team that secured qualification against Japan.
Martinelli, who plays for Arsenal, earned his place after scoring the crucial goal in Brazil's previous match. Ancelotti highlighted the forward's motivation and physical readiness, noting that Martinelli will operate between the left flank and central areas, alternating positions with Vini Jr. This tactical approach mirrors the setup used successfully against Paraguay during the qualifiers.
Competition for the vacant spot was intense, with Danilo Santos of Botafogo also tested in training earlier in the week. However, Martinelli featured as a starter in the final sessions leading up to the match. The official lineup was only revealed to the squad during the pre-match briefing on Sunday, maintaining suspense until the last moment.
The confirmed Brazil lineup to face Norway is: Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli, and Vini Jr. Although Martinelli is a natural attacker, he is expected to play a slightly deeper role, shifting between the left and central zones when Brazil is in possession.
Paquetá's injury, sustained in the previous round, has not led to his official withdrawal from the squad, but his return during this tournament appears unlikely. The rest of the starting eleven remains unchanged from the victory over Japan.
Meanwhile, Raphinha has resumed training after recovering from a right thigh injury suffered against Haiti. The Barcelona forward participated in warm-ups with the team and gradually increased his involvement in group exercises. Despite his progress, Raphinha will start on the bench against Norway, with the medical staff aiming to have him fully fit for a potential quarter-final appearance. Ancelotti indicated that Raphinha could be used if necessary, but not for the full 90 minutes.
The match is scheduled for Sunday at 17:00 (Brasília time) at the New York/New Jersey stadium. The winner will advance to face either Mexico or England in the quarter-finals, set for July 11 in Miami. This high-stakes encounter follows a series of dramatic knockout fixtures, such as Switzerland's recent clash with Algeria, which drew attention for its intensity and the pressure on both teams to break through to the next stage. For more on how other national teams are navigating the World Cup knockout rounds, see this analysis of Switzerland's campaign: Switzerland's high-pressure World Cup knockout match.
Brazil's approach to this match reflects a broader trend of tactical flexibility and squad depth seen among leading teams in the tournament. The ability to adapt lineups in response to injuries or form has become a decisive factor in progressing through the knockout stages. With Martinelli stepping into a pivotal role and Raphinha nearing full fitness, Ancelotti's side aims to maintain momentum as the competition intensifies. The outcome of this fixture will not only determine Brazil's immediate future in the World Cup but could also influence tactical decisions for the remaining contenders.
