EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages as Norway produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Brazil 2-1 on Friday to reach the quarterfinals and end the South American giants’ pursuit of a sixth world title.
The victory sent Norway into the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and marked another memorable chapter in the nation’s remarkable record against Brazil, whom it has never lost to in international competition.
Haaland, who had been largely contained for much of the match, once again demonstrated his ability to decide games in an instant. The Manchester City striker broke the deadlock in the 79th minute by powering above Gabriel Magalhaes to head home Andreas Schjelderup’s cross before sealing victory minutes later with a fierce long-range strike that gave goalkeeper Alisson no chance.
The two goals lifted Haaland’s tournament tally to seven and his international total to 62 goals in just 54 appearances, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s most prolific forwards.
Brazil pulled one goal back deep into stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty after Leo Ostigard handled inside the area, but the goal came too late to prevent one of the nation’s earliest World Cup exits in decades.
Norway’s triumph owed as much to goalkeeper Orjan Nyland as it did to Haaland’s finishing.
Nyland made several crucial saves throughout the match, including denying Bruno Guimaraes from the penalty spot after Kristoffer Ajer was penalized for fouling Matheus Cunha following a VAR review. The veteran goalkeeper also produced important stops against Vinicius Junior and Guimaraes before recovering brilliantly to prevent an own goal after Ajer accidentally looped the ball toward his own net.
Despite facing one of international football’s traditional powers, Norway refused to retreat. Stale Solbakken’s side enjoyed extended spells of possession and controlled much of the midfield through captain Martin Odegaard, while continuing to create chances against a Brazil team that struggled to impose itself.
Solbakken’s substitutions also proved decisive.
Schjelderup replaced Antonio Nusa during the second half and immediately changed the game, first forcing Alisson into a save before delivering the cross that Haaland converted for the opening goal.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti attempted to alter the match by introducing teenage forward Endrick and later Neymar, who was making his first World Cup appearance since returning from injury. Endrick nearly scored with his first involvement, while Neymar eventually converted his late penalty, but neither could rescue Brazil’s campaign.
The defeat means Brazil will fail to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1990, a disappointing end for a squad that entered the tournament among the favorites to lift the trophy.
For Norway, however, the victory represents one of the greatest achievements in the country’s football history.
After missing every World Cup this century before qualifying for the 2026 tournament, Norway now stands three victories away from claiming its first world title, powered by the brilliance of Haaland and a disciplined team performance that stunned one of football’s most successful nations.
