Erling Haaland scored two late goals to propel Norway to a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the World Cup round of 16 on July 5, 2026, marking Brazil's earliest exit from the tournament since 1990. Haaland's performance not only secured Norway's first quarterfinal appearance but also condemned Brazil to an unexpected departure from the competition.
Haaland's Remarkable Performance
Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a goal from a left-wing cross by Andreas Schjelderup. He followed up with a powerful shot in the final minute, solidifying his place among the tournament's top scorers.
The Manchester City striker is now tied with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, each having scored seven goals in the tournament. Haaland's scoring streak for Norway has reached an impressive 14 games, with a total of 27 goals during this stretch.
Brazil's Disappointment and Missed Opportunities
Brazil's campaign was marred by missed chances, including a penalty kick in the first half missed by Bruno Guimarães. The opportunity to take the lead was lost after a video review deemed a foul on Matheus Cunha insufficient for a penalty. In the dying moments, a second penalty was converted by Neymar, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti faced criticism as Brazil exited the tournament earlier than expected, having been one of the favorites to win. This defeat signifies Brazil's longest title drought since their first championship in 1958, with their last victory coming in 2002.
Norway's Historic Achievement
Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken expressed immense pride, stating, "I think that all Norwegian citizens are experiencing the night of a lifetime. Some people say that we have changed Norway forever." This victory marks a significant milestone for Norway, who had not progressed beyond the round of 16 in their previous World Cup appearances.
The Norwegian team will now face either Mexico or England in the quarterfinals, as they look to build on this historic win. Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland played a crucial role in the match, making key saves that helped secure the victory.
- Haaland's goals: 79th minute and 90th minute
- Brazil's missed penalties: Guimarães (14th minute), Neymar (final minute)
- Norway's historical context: First quarterfinals since 1998
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by ESPN Soccer. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
