Norway projected lineup vs. Brazil and the Julian Ryerson question

Norway is one of the feel-good stories of the tournament, back in the round of 16 for the first time in 28 years and carrying the World Cup's hottest striker into a matchup it has never lost. Coach Stale Solbakken rested most of his starters in the group-stage loss to France and that gamble kept his best players fresh for Sunday's match with Brazil at MetLife Stadium.Projected Norway lineup vs.

BrazilGoalkeeper: Orjan NylandDefenders: Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Moller WolfeMidfielders: Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Martin OdegaardForwards: Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio NusaThe one question in defenseRight back Julian Ryerson is in doubt. He has been dealing with a thigh injury and returned to training only this week, with his readiness rated as a coin flip. If he cannot go, Pedersen keeps the spot he has filled well.

The center back pairing is also worth watching, with Heggem and Leo Ostigard both in the mix along with Ajer.The face of the franchiseErling Haaland has scored five goals in his first World Cup, finding the net in every game he has started, and accounts for half of Norway's goals in the tournament. His international numbers are remarkable with 60 goals in 53 games.

Solbakken's entire plan is to get Haaland the ball as he runs behind the defense, so Brazil's two center backs, Marquinhos and Gabriel, will have their hands full.Who supports Haaland? Martin Odegaard is the captain and the creator.

He has assists in three straight World Cup games. If he gets space to turn and find his teammates making runs, Norway is a threat. Oscar Bobb is pushing to start after playing well as a substitute in the last game.

The catchNorway can score, but they can also be beaten. The defense has looked shaky at times, and Brazil is fast on the break, which is exactly the kind of thing that has hurt Norway before. Even so, this is a team that has never lost to Brazil in four tries.

That includes the famous 2-1 upset at the 199