Norway stun Brazil to reach World Cup quarter-finals
By Francis Muli, July 6, 2026Erling Haaland struck twice as Norway shocked five-time World Cup champions Brazil 2-1 to book a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, sending Carlo Ancelotti’s side crashing out in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, adding the second in the 90th minute, finishing clinically after Norway had frustrated Brazil throughout a tense Round of 16 contest at MetLife Stadium.
Neymar Jr stepped up in the 100th minute to score the sole goal for Brazil, however too late.
The victory extended Norway’s remarkable unbeaten record against Brazil, with the Scandinavians still never having lost to the South American giants in five meetings.
Brazil had a golden opportunity to seize control early in the match after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the penalty area. Although the referee initially waved play on, a VAR review overturned the decision and awarded a penalty.
However, Bruno Guimarães failed to capitalize, with Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland producing a superb save to deny the midfielder from the spot in the 14th minute. It marked Brazil’s biggest missed chance of the evening and proved costly as Norway grew in confidence.
Norway had actually found the net inside the opening minutes through Sander Berge, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Despite that setback, Ståle Solbakken’s side dominated possession for long spells and consistently troubled Brazil’s defence with the movement of Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth.
Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, struggled to impose themselves despite enjoying spells of possession. Vinícius Júnior forced Nyland into another excellent save late in the first half, while Alisson Becker kept Brazil in the contest with a fine stop to deny Ødegaard before the break.
Ancelotti introduced Raphinha and Neymar from the bench in search of an equaliser after Haaland’s breakthrough, but Norway defended resolutely to secure one of the most memorable victories in the country’s football history.
The result ended Brazil’s hopes of claiming a record-extending sixth World Cup title and continued a worrying trend against European opposition in the knockout stages, while Norway advanced to the last eight for the first time in their history.
Pre-match favourites Brazil had entered the contest having edged Japan 2-1 in the previous round, while Norway progressed after defeating Ivory Coast by the same scoreline. Haaland’s winner now sends the Nordic nation into the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Argentina-Mexico clash.