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Erling Haaland scored a late brace as Norway produced one of the biggest successes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 on Sunday to secure a historic place in the quarter-finals.
The victory in East Rutherford marks the first time Norway have reached the quarter-finals of a FIFA World Cup and extends their impressive unbeaten run against Brazil to four competitive matches.
Brazil dominated possession for much of the match, but were repeatedly frustrated by Norway’s disciplined defense and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland’s inspired performance.
The Seleção had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they won a penalty in the first half, but Bruno Guimarães was denied from the spot by Nyland, whose save proved to be a decisive moment of the match.
Neymar and Vinícius Júnior continued to look for openings, but Norway remained compact at the back, with Leo Østigård and Birger Meling leading a resilient defensive performance as they patiently waited for counterattacking opportunities.
The turning point finally came late in the match when Andreas Schjelderup darted down the left flank before dishing out an inviting cross to Haaland, who beat Gabriel to head past Alisson and give Norway a priceless lead.
The goal was Haaland’s sixth goal of the tournament and extended his remarkable scoring run to 14 consecutive competitive matches for club and country.
Brazil responded with urgency and came within centimeters of equalising. Nyland produced another outstanding save to push a looping shot onto the post before Casemiro fired the rebound just wide with the goal at his mercy.
The wasted chances proved costly as Haaland scored again moments later, clinically finishing to double Norway’s lead and leave the five-time world champions facing an early exit.
Neymar converted a late penalty to reduce the deficit in the dying moments, but Brazil failed to mount a spectacular comeback as Norway held on to complete one of the tournament’s most memorable victories.
The result ends Brazil’s consistent run of reaching at least the quarter-finals in each of the last eight FIFA World Cups and represents a major disappointment for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Norway, meanwhile, continue their dream season and will face either England or Mexico in the quarter-finals in pursuit of an unprecedented place in the final four.
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