Haaland double sinks Brazil as Norway reach World Cup quarter-finals
Erling Haaland scored twice late on to give Norway a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the World Cup round of 16, ending the five-time champions' campaign.
Brazil's early setback
Brazil entered the match as clear favourites, but their night began with a missed penalty. In the 13th minute, after a VAR review for a foul by Kristoffer Ajer on Matheus Cunha, Bruno Guimarães stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. It was the first penalty Brazil had missed in a World Cup match since Zico in 1986, ending a 40-year streak of successful conversions from the spot.
Haaland's decisive double
The match remained goalless until the 79th minute, when Erling Haaland broke the deadlock. The Manchester City striker headed in a cross from Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup, who had been a constant threat on the wing. Nine minutes later, Schjelderup recovered the ball and again set up Haaland, whose low finish beat Alisson to make it 2-0. Haaland's brace took his tournament tally to seven goals, tying him with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé at the top of the scoring charts.
- Erling Haaland
- 7 goals
- Lionel Messi
- 7 goals
- Kylian Mbappé
- 7 goals
Nyland frustrates the Seleção
While Haaland grabbed the headlines, Norway's goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was equally instrumental. He produced a string of saves throughout the match, denying Brazil's forwards repeatedly. Endrick, on as a substitute, had a clear chance in the 59th minute but shot wide. Neymar, making his first appearance of the tournament in the 67th minute, could not find a way past Nyland either. Brazil's wastefulness in front of goal proved costly.
A 40-year penalty streak ends
Bruno Guimarães' miss was historic: it was only the third penalty Brazil have ever failed to convert in World Cup history, after Waldemar de Brito in 1934 and Zico in 1986. On that occasion, Zico's miss against France preceded a quarter-final exit on penalties. The parallel was not lost on Brazilian fans as their team again fell at the last-16 stage.
- Bruno Guimarães misses penalty, saved by Orjan Nyland
- Endrick misses clear chance, shooting wide
- Neymar enters the match for his first World Cup 2026 appearance
- Haaland scores with a header, assist by Schjelderup
- Haaland scores his second, low finish after Schjelderup assist
- Neymar converts penalty to make it 2-1
Norway's quarter-final path
Neymar converted a penalty deep into stoppage time to make it 2-1, but it was too little, too late. Norway held on to secure a famous victory and a place in the quarter-finals. They will face the winner of Mexico versus England on Saturday in Miami Gardens. For Brazil, the wait for a sixth World Cup title continues.
