Norway goalkeeper undergoes doping test after eliminating Brazil
One of the protagonists of Norway's historic victory over Brazil, this Sunday (5), goalkeeper Orjan Nyland had to postpone his celebration of his place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for a reason, according to him, annoying: the mandatory anti-doping test.
"No, I haven't looked at my phone yet. Now I'm going to doping control, that's the boring part I need to do first. Then, obviously, I'm going to enjoy this moment. It was the most important game of my career," declared the 35-year-old veteran.
Forward Erling Haaland scored the qualifying goals, but it was Nyland who built the result with a decisive performance.
The goalkeeper saved a penalty in the first half, taken by Bruno Guimarães, made important interventions throughout the match and was fundamental in holding back the Brazilian pressure.
After beating Brazil 2-1, Norway will face Mexico or England in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The match is scheduled for Saturday (11), in Miami.
Nyland almost didn't start for Norway in the World Cup
Nyland's presence as a starter only happened because of a FIFA decision. Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was the favorite to take up the position after obtaining Norwegian citizenship this year.
In May, however, the organization refused Israeli-born Haikin's request to change his sporting nationality from Russia to Norway. The goalkeeper played twice for the Russian under-21 team and did not meet the residency requirements required by FIFA.
With the vacancy open, 35-year-old Nyland, whose contract with Sevilla ended at the end of last season, took over the starting job. Right at the beginning of the duel, he saved a penalty taken by Bruno Guimarães and gained confidence to command the Norwegian classification.
Afterwards, the goalkeeper also avoided dangerous shots from Vinicius Jr. and Emerick, in addition to preventing a spectacular own goal from Kristoffer Ajer. In an impressive reflex, he threw his body backwards and deflected the ball off the post before it crossed the line.
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Haaland goes up alone and opens the scoring in Brazil x Norway - Al Bello/Getty Images
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Haaland celebrates goal against Brazil at the 2026 World Cup - Al Bello/Getty Images
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Bruno Guimarães takes and misses a penalty in Brazil x Norway in the World Cup - Buda Mendes/Getty Images/Via Fifa
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Bruno Guimarães takes and misses a penalty in Brazil x Norway in the World Cup - Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Nyland saves Bruno Guimarães' penalty in Brazil x Norway - Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Nyland and Sorloth celebrate the penalty saved by the goalkeeper in Brazil x Norway - Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Matheus Cunha suffers penalty in Brazil x Norway; Bruno Guimarães wasted - Disclosure/Fifa
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Haaland disputes the ball with the Brazilian defense in Brazil x Norway - Buda Mendes/Getty Images/Via Fifa
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Aerial view of Brazil x Norway - Disclosure/Fifa
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Martinelli with the ball in Brazil x Norway - Disclosure/Fifa
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Brazil x Norway bid for the World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
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Brazil shirt before the duel with Norway - Disclosure/CBF
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Reservation at Sevilla and with just a few minutes
After spending much of the season on the bench at Sevilla, few imagined that Nyland would have such an outstanding performance in a World Cup. Even so, the experienced goalkeeper responded when he received the opportunity for the national team.
"It's incredible to be at the World Cup, in the most important game of my life. I just have to thank everyone who was by my side: my wife, Tine, who helped me when I needed it most, my three wonderful children, who were with me through thick and thin, and my entire family," he said.
In the final minutes, Nyland even argued verbally with Neymar after Brazil won a penalty. The number 10 converted the kick, but the Norwegian goalkeeper ended up getting the better of it when the final whistle confirmed the European team's classification.
As he didn't use his cell phone due to anti-doping, Nyland doesn't know if some clubs have already started to investigate his situation, but the goalkeeper doesn't intend to stop his career.
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Source: CNN