Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a late Neymar penalty that only reduced the deficit in an absorbing Round of 16 encounter.
Haaland, who had been largely contained for most of the contest, came alive when it mattered most, heading Norway into the lead in the 79th minute before adding a second 10 minutes later. Neymar converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but it was too late to prevent Brazil’s elimination.
The victory sends Norway into the last eight, while Haaland’s brace took his tally to seven goals in the tournament, moving him level at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Norway nearly made the perfect start after just three minutes when Patrick Berg found the back of the net, but the celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee flagged for offside.
The Scandinavians dominated possession in the opening stages and looked composed on the ball, while Brazil relied on quick counterattacks led by Vinicius Junior.
Brazil’s biggest opportunity of the first half came after Matheus Cunha was brought down inside the penalty area. The referee initially waved play on before awarding a spot-kick following a VAR review.
Bruno Guimaraes stepped up but failed to convert, his stuttering run-up allowing goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to make a comfortable save. It was Brazil’s first missed World Cup penalty since 1986.
The save proved a turning point as Norway continued to frustrate Brazil with disciplined defending despite surrendering possession in dangerous areas.
Nyland was called into action repeatedly, denying Vinicius with an excellent save before reacting smartly to stop Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous cross from finding the net.
At the other end, Haaland struggled to influence proceedings as Brazil’s defence kept him largely quiet. His only notable first-half opportunity came when he attempted to lob Alisson but failed to generate enough height on the effort.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Brazil creating the clearer opportunities.
Endrick replaced Cunha in the 58th minute and nearly made an immediate impact after being released by a delightful outside-of-the-foot pass from Vinicius, only to drag his effort wide with only Nyland to beat.
Brazil introduced Neymar for Martinelli in the 68th minute in search of a breakthrough, while Norway responded with attacking substitutions of Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup.
Nyland continued his outstanding performance, punching away dangerous crosses before producing another fine save to deny Rayan’s swerving effort. He later clawed a deflected shot onto the post as Brazil intensified the pressure.
Norway finally found the breakthrough in the 79th minute.
Schjelderup delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area and Haaland rose highest to power a header beyond Alisson for his first meaningful contribution of the match.
The goal shifted the momentum completely.
Brazil struggled to respond with urgency, while Norway calmly managed possession and slowed the tempo as frustration grew among the South Americans.
Haaland sealed the result in the 89th minute, finishing clinically for his second goal of the evening after Norway exploited the spaces left by Brazil’s desperate search for an equaliser.
Brazil were handed a lifeline in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Neymar converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-1, but there was no time left for a comeback.
Norway comfortably saw out the remaining moments, even taking their time over a late free-kick as the final whistle confirmed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
The victory extends Norway’s impressive World Cup campaign and sends them into the quarterfinals, while Brazil’s hopes of winning a sixth FIFA World Cup title end in disappointing fashion after failing to recover from Guimaraes’ costly first-half penalty miss.
(The Whistler)
