How Nyland became an unlikely co-star in the Haaland show
Pick your favourite from the assortment of Ørjan Nyland’s saves from Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil. The penalty, naturally. Brazil had not missed a World Cup penalty in regulation time since 1986. Or the dangling leg that denied Vinicius Junior a fifth goal. Perhaps, the acrobatic dive that spared Kristoffer Ajer the indignity of scoring the World Cup’s most bizarre own goal. There was also a block to deny Rayan. Four saves, each more spectacular than the last. Yet, none captured Nyland quite like the one that never counted. Casemiro floated a cross to Rayan in the 63rd minute, who cushioned it into Bruno Guimaraes’ path. The result seemed like a foregone conclusion. Out came Nyland, and, defying both age and anatomy, made himself even bigger than his 6’4″ frame. Arms and legs splayed horizontally, he became a star — not merely metaphorically, but quite literally. The offside flag was raised. The save became irrelevant. But try telling that to Nyland, who celebrated it with more gusto than he did the penalty. For a fleeting …
