Can Brazil break Norway hoodoo?

For 28 years, Stale Solbakken has carried a piece of history that no Brazilian has been able to rewrite.

Back in 1998, the Norway coach was part of the side that stunned the current five-time world champions 2-1 in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup -- a result that remains Brazil's only World Cup defeat against the Scandinavian nation.

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On Monday at the New York-New Jersey Stadium, Solbakken returns to face Brazil once again, this time from the dugout, with a chance to extend one of international football's most unlikely hoodoos.

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Brazil have faced Norway four times in their history and are yet to win, drawing twice and losing twice. It makes Norway the only opponent the Selecao have played but never beaten, an unwanted record Carlo Ancelotti's side will be desperate to erase as they chase a record-extending sixth world title.

Solbakken's Norway have already shown they are capable of upsetting the odds. After securing qualification from Group I with back-to-back wins, the Norwegian coach rotated almost his entire starting XI against France before watching his side edge Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32. The victory also marked Norway's first-ever knockout win at the World Cup, having previously exited at the first hurdle in 1938 and 1998.

While much of the spotlight has fallen on Erling Haaland, Brazil striker Matheus Cunha warned against reducing Norway to a one-man team.

"Haaland is a great player and he has already shown that on several occasions, both when he was in Germany and now in England. We have a healthy relationship," Cunha said.

Haaland is a great player and he has already shown that on several occasions, both when he was in Germany and now in England. We have a healthy relationship.

Brazil forward Matheus Cunha

"But we have to focus on the whole team, as they have other dangerous players -- many of whom also play in England -- making Norway one of the toughest opponents we could face at this stage."

Brazil, meanwhile, have selection issues of their own. Lucas Paqueta has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained against Japan, forcing Ancelotti into changes in midfield.  Whether Ancelotti gets Neymar, yet to play a minute in the knockout stage of this tournament, back in the mix is to be seen.

There is better news in attack, with Raphinha back in training after a two-week lay-off, although replacement Rayan's impressive displays mean the Brazilian coach faces a genuine selection dilemma.

For Brazil, today is about much more than reaching the quarterfinals. It is an opportunity to finally end a hoodoo that has survived four meetings, nearly three decades, and now stands in the way of their much-craved Hexa mission in the shape of the very man who helped start it.