Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages to fire Norway into their first ever FIFA World Cup quarterfinal with a stunning 2 to 1 victory over Brazil on Sunday, ending the South American giants’ campaign at the round of 16 stage for the first time since 1990.
Playing at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, Norway survived relentless Brazilian pressure before Haaland struck in the 79th and 90th minutes to complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Neymar scored a penalty deep into stoppage time, but Brazil ran out of time to complete a comeback.
The result also extended Brazil’s painful record against Norway. The five time world champions have still never beaten the Scandinavian side in a World Cup match. Norway will now face either co hosts Mexico or England in the quarterfinals in Miami on July 11.
Haaland’s brace lifted his tournament tally to seven goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Nyland’s heroics keep Brazil at bay before Haaland delivers
Brazil dominated much of the opening hour but repeatedly found Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland standing in their way.
The biggest moment of the first half came when referee Ismail Elfath awarded Brazil a penalty after a VAR review overturned his original decision. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up, but Nyland guessed correctly and pushed away the spot kick with a superb diving save.
Nyland continued his outstanding performance by denying Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes on several occasions.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti handed Gabriel Martinelli a starting place after his winning goal against Japan in the previous round. Norway, meanwhile, welcomed back defender Julian Ryerson after he recovered from a thigh injury.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken changed the match after halftime by introducing Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup. The tactical switch gave Norway greater attacking width and helped create both decisive goals.
Brazil’s World Cup dream ends as Norway celebrates history
Schjelderup delivered a precise cross in the 79th minute, allowing Haaland to power a header beyond Alisson and give Norway the lead.
Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Haaland struck again in the 90th minute. The Manchester City striker drilled a powerful low shot into the corner from outside the penalty area to double Norway’s advantage.
Neymar entered the match in the 67th minute to a huge ovation and converted Brazil’s second penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time after Casemiro suffered an elbow inside the box. The goal arrived too late to rescue the Selecao.
The defeat marked Brazil’s sixth consecutive World Cup elimination by European opposition despite appointing Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24 year wait for another world title. Norway’s victory sparked huge celebrations back home, where more than 90,000 supporters filled central Oslo to celebrate the country’s greatest football achievement. Haaland described it as “one of the sickest days ever in Norwegian history.”
