Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blows in New Jersey, striking twice in the final stages to send Norway into their first-ever World Cup quarter-final and dump brazil out at the last‑16.
The Manchester City striker rose to meet a pinpoint Andreas Schjelderup cross on 79 minutes, then drove in a second in stoppage time to cap a clinical, minimal‑touch performance that punished Brazil’s wastefulness.
Neymar, introduced for only his second appearance of the tournament, converted a late penalty deep into added time, but it arrived too late to alter the outcome. Bruno Guimarães had earlier seen his own spot‑kick saved by Orjan Nyland, setting the tone for a Brazil side that created chances but failed to take them.
Brazil created, but no way through
Brazil carried the greater threat throughout the opening period. After Patrick Berg’s early strike was correctly ruled offside, the Seleçao earned a penalty when Kristoffer Ajer mistimed a challenge on Matheus Cunha.
Following a VAR review, Guimarães stepped up but his effort was pushed away by Nyland, who guessed right and held firm.
Vinicius junior twice forced saves, one low at the near post, another after cutting inside. While Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous cross was also diverted by Nyland.
Norway’s clearest moment before the break came from Martin Odegaard, whose low drive was smothered by Alisson. The half closed with brazil on top but frustrated, and Norway grateful for their goalkeeper’s sharp handling.
With temperatures rising, the pace dipped. Brazil continued to find openings. Endrick, introduced shortly after the interval, was sent clean through by Vinicius Junior but poked wide with his first involvement. Rayan then saw a low effort turned away by Nyland, who remained consistently alert.
Norway’s possession grew, but clear chances remained scarce. Haaland was inches from connecting with an Ajer cross, while Schjelderup, on for Antonio Nusa, forced Alisson into a near‑post save after Norway’s best passing move of the match. The game sat on a knife‑edge, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to send on Neymar in search of control.
Haaland with two goals, one historic win
The breakthrough arrived with eleven minutes left. Schjelderup broke down the left and delivered a precise cross. Haaland powered in front of Gabriel and headed down beyond Alisson. It was his sixth goal of the tournament, extending his run of scoring in 14 consecutive internationals.
Nyland then produced one of the match’s defining moments, reacting superbly to prevent an Ajer back‑pass from creeping in. Moments later, Haaland struck again. This time with a low drive from distance, threaded through Danilo’s legs and into the corner. Norway had a two‑goal cushion as stoppage time began.
Neymar’s penalty, awarded after a late aerial challenge, reduced the deficit but did not change the trajectory. Brazil, making their earliest World Cup exit since 1990, were left to reflect on missed chances and a decisive shift in momentum. Norway, meanwhile, celebrated a landmark victory and set up a quarter-final meeting with England.
Norway’s historic step forward
This result sends Norway into the last eight for the first time, a milestone built on Haaland’s finishing and Nyland’s resilience. Solbakken’s side, unbeaten against Brazil in previous meetings, held their nerve in key moments and capitalised when it mattered.
Brazil exit with regrets: two penalties, multiple openings, and a performance that lacked the precision required at this stage. Ancelotti’s team dominated long stretches but could not convert pressure into goals until neymar’s late consolation.
Norway now head to Miami for a quarter-final against England, carrying belief built on disciplined structure, sharp transitions, and a striker in peak form. Haaland’s seven‑goal tally places him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the golden boot race, underlining his impact on a tournament that has now opened up for Solbakken’s side.
Featured image via the Canary
By Faz Ali
