Martin Odegaard admits it got ‘a little awkward’ with Neymar following their heated clash during Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil at the World Cup.
Two late goals in the second half from Erling Haaland put Norway in front, while Neymar pulled a goal back for Brazil in the 10th minute of injury time.
Brazil also squandered the chance to take the lead in the first half as Bruno Guimaraes missed from the penalty spot.
Odegaard, meanwhile, was targeted by Neymar on multiple occasions after Brazil’s talisman was brought on as a substitute in the second half.
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Neymar was growing frustrated as he was unable to tackle Odegaard on two occasions before he was given a yellow card for kicking Norway’s captain.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward then shoved Odegaard during a heated confrontation between both sets of players.
After scoring his penalty, Neymar also shoulder barged Odegaard as he made his way back to Brazil’s half to restart the match.
Following the full-time whistle, Neymar attempted to make amends as he specifically sought out Odegaard during Norway’s celebrations and hugged the Arsenal captain before the pair exchanged a few words.
When asked about the clashes with Neymar after Norway’s victory, Odegaard told TV2: ‘Yes, it got a little awkward.
‘But there was a good atmosphere afterwards. So it ended well.’
Norway will now play England in the World Cup quarter final at 10pm BST on Saturday.
Neymar, meanwhile, appeared to confirm that he will retire from Brazil’s national team following their World Cup exit.
The 34-year-old, who was close to missing out on a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, was in tears on the pitch following the defeat to Norway.
‘I tried, I tried. Now it’s over,’ Neymar told Globo.
‘I started here, I finished here.’
Former Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo also criticised Ancelotti for not starting Neymar against Norway.
‘I understand that the coach has his convictions, but he also has to understand a little, you know,’ he said.
‘I would have started the game with Neymar right away, I would have started with Neymar. Maybe if he had been in the first half, he would have converted [the penalty] and the game would have been a different story.’
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