Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to reach the FIFA 2026 World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The Manchester City striker struck twice in the final 11 minutes at MetLife Stadium to send Brazil crashing out in the Round of 16, condemning the South Americans to their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.
After a tense, goalless opening 78 minutes, Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, rising above Gabriel to head past Alisson from a pinpoint cross.
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He doubled Norway’s lead minutes later with a powerful low drive from long range that beat the Brazilian goalkeeper and sparked wild celebrations among the Norwegian supporters.
Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was equally influential, producing a string of superb saves, including a first-half penalty stop from Bruno Guimaraes to keep Brazil at bay.
Neymar pulled one back deep into stoppage time from Brazil’s second penalty of the match, but it proved too little, too late as Norway secured a famous victory.
Haaland’s brace moved him level with Lionel Messi on seven goals in the tournament and sent Norway into a quarterfinal clash against either England or co-hosts Mexico in Miami on July 11.
For Brazil, who appointed Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year World Cup title drought, the defeat marked a sixth consecutive World Cup elimination by European opposition.
It is also Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit in 36 years, with the last coming in 1990 when they were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in the Round of 16.
Brazil made one change from the side that defeated Japan in the previous round, with Gabriel Martinelli replacing the injured Lucas Paqueta, but the Selecao were unable to find a way past an inspired Norwegian side.
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