Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages as Norway stunned Brazil with a 2-1 victory on Sunday, securing a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Manchester City striker produced two clinical finishes in the final 11 minutes at MetLife Stadium to take his tally for the tournament to seven goals and send the Scandinavian side into the last eight for the first time since returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
Brazil’s only reply came in stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty, but it proved nothing more than a consolation as the five-time world champions bowed out in the round of 16.
Coach Ståle Solbakken’s side had an early effort ruled out after Patrick Berg found the net from an offside position.
Brazil were then handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 14th minute after Kristoffer Ajer brought down Matheus Cunha inside the box.
Referee Ismail Elfath awarded the penalty following a VAR review, but Bruno Guimarães’ weak effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil, producing important saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Junior, while Norway also threatened before the break through Martin Ødegaard, whose low strike was kept out by Alisson Becker.
The second half was more cautious, with Norway enjoying more possession while Brazil looked to strike on the counter-attack.
Substitute Endrick squandered a clear one-on-one opportunity after being released by Vinicius, while Rayan also forced another save from Nyland.
Haaland almost connected with a dangerous cross from Ajer before Brazil introduced Neymar in search of a breakthrough.
Instead, Norway seized control. Substitute Andreas Schjelderup tested Alisson with a powerful effort before providing the decisive moment, delivering an inviting cross that Haaland met with a commanding header to finally break the deadlock.
The goal extended Haaland’s remarkable scoring streak to 14 consecutive appearances for Norway.
Nyland produced another outstanding save to preserve the advantage before Haaland sealed the result in the 90th minute.
Collecting Schjelderup’s pass just outside the area, the striker unleashed a precise low drive into the bottom corner beyond Alisson.
Brazil earned a late penalty after Leo Østigård fouled Casemiro in stoppage time, and Neymar calmly converted from the spot, but there was no way back as Norway completed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and advanced to the quarter-finals.
