By Samuel Akpan
In a shocking Round of 16 thriller at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, Erling Haaland’s second-half masterclass propelled Norway to a 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil, dumping the tournament favourites out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and sending the Scandinavians into their first-ever quarterfinal.
Norway’s goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland emerged as an early hero, producing a crucial save to deny Bruno Guimarães from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was fouled in the 13th minute.
Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, controlled the first half but failed to convert their dominance into a lead.
The match transformed after the break as Norway tightened their defence and launched clinical counter-attacks.
Substitute Andreas Schjelderup delivered a pinpoint cross in the 79th minute, allowing Haaland to power home a towering header for the opening goal.
With Brazil pushing forward desperately for an equalizer, Norway struck again in the 90th minute.
Schjelderup once more picked out Haaland, who unleashed a powerful strike past Alisson Becker to make it 2-0.
Deep in stoppage time, VAR awarded Brazil a second penalty, which substitute Neymar calmly converted in the 90+10th minute.
However, the goal came too late as the final whistle sounded moments later, confirming Norway’s famous win.
Haaland’s performance added to his growing legend, becoming the first player since Gerd Müller in 1970 to score seven or more goals across his first four World Cup appearances.
The result preserves Norway’s remarkable unbeaten record against Brazil, making them the only nation in history to have faced the Seleção multiple times without ever losing.
This victory marks Brazil’s earliest exit since 1990 and continues their pattern of falling to European teams in recent tournaments.
They have now been eliminated by European opposition in each of the last six World Cups: France in 2006, Netherlands in 2010, Germany in 2014, Belgium in 2018, Croatia in 2022, and now Norway in 2026.
Persecondnews reports that Ståle Solbakken’s well-organized side will face either England or Mexico in the quarterfinals.
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