Brazilian federal deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante linked the national football team's missed penalty kick against Norway to political party numbers on Sunday, July 5, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Liberal Party (PL) leader mockingly associated the timing of the missed shot with the number of the rival Workers' Party (PT), led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, according to Metrópoles.
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Cavalcante claimed on social media that the specific minute was a curse that caused the missed goal opportunity.
"Foi aos 13 minutos" stated Cavalcante, referring to the exact time of the play.
Following his initial comment, the lawmaker elaborated further on his social media account to connect the sporting event with domestic politics.
"Praga: o pêntali foi aos 13 minutos, resultado, perdeuuuuukkkk" wrote Cavalcante online.
The match detailed by Metrópoles saw the initial Brazilian attack occur at the eight-minute mark when Bruno Guimarães found Vini Jr., who carried the ball past the goal line.
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Shortly after, Matheus Cunha was fouled in the penalty area, leading to a video assistant referee review and a subsequent penalty call that Guimarães failed to convert.
Previous Political Commentary
This political commentary follows earlier statements from Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who previously connected the team's group stage success against Japan in Houston to his own political party's electoral number.
"Não queria falar nada, mas foi o 22 que salvou o Brasil. Valeu" said Bolsonaro on June 29, 2026, regarding forward Gabriel Martinelli wearing the number 22 jersey.
The Liberal Party also mirrored this sentiment on its official social media channel to reinforce the electoral connection.
"Mais uma vez, o 22 salva o Brasil" published the political party platform.
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The winner of the match between Brazil and Norway will advance to the next round of the World Cup to face either Mexico or England.
