Haaland double sinks Brazil as Norway reach first World Cup quarterfinal
Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes as Norway eliminated five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup round of 16, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
Match overview
Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in front of 80,663 fans. The Scandinavians dominated possession but Brazil created the clearer chances until Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. The Manchester City striker added a second in the 90th minute before Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
Haaland's late show
Haaland had been largely anonymous until Andreas Schjelderup's cross found him for a header past Alisson. Eleven minutes later, Schjelderup teed him up again and Haaland rifled a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. The double took his tournament tally to seven goals, level with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. It was his third brace of the World Cup.
- Patrick Berg goal disallowed for offside
- Bruno Guimarães penalty saved by Örjan Nyland
- Endrick misses one-on-one chance
- Haaland heads in Schjelderup cross
- Haaland fires in second from edge of box
- Neymar converts penalty for Brazil
Nyland keeps Norway alive
Goalkeeper Örjan Nyland, 35 and currently without a club after leaving Sevilla, was Norway's hero in the first half. He saved a 14th-minute penalty from Bruno Guimarães after a VAR review awarded the spot-kick for a foul by Kristoffer Ajer. Nyland also denied Vinícius Júnior later in the half. Brazil's Endrick missed a one-on-one in the 59th minute, chipping over Nyland but wide.
Brazil's curse continues
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002 and have now been eliminated by a European side in every knockout round since. This exit in the last 16 is their earliest in 36 years. Carlo Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to coach the Seleção, could not reverse the trend. Neymar's late penalty was only a consolation.
What's next
Norway will face the winner of Mexico against England in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami. It is the first time Norway have survived two knockout rounds at a World Cup. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus watched from the stands as the team celebrated their biggest achievement.
