Haaland brace stuns Brazil as Norway makes history
Erling Haaland scored twice late in the second half as Norway stunned five-time champion Brazil 2-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in its history.
With their fans hugely outnumbered and in conditions that felt like a sauna, Norway tuned out the noise and the heat with Haaland using every inch of his 6ft 5in frame to head in the opening goal after 79 minutes before blasting home a second with his left foot from distance.
"I peaked a couple of times in this tournament, but every now and then I get a new peak," Haaland said after the match.
"If I get a chance or two, it usually turns into a goal. I don't know how I do it, but that's how I am. It's about being focused."
Neymar's penalty deep into stoppage-time was little consolation for Brazil, for which Bruno Guimaraes missed an early penalty as it failed to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1990.
Haaland moved to seven goals at the tournament, level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, making this the first FIFA World Cup to have three players on that tally.
The momentum appeared in Brazil's favour at the start when Kristoffer Ajer conceded an early penalty with a thoughtless challenge on Matheus Cunha in the box after 13 minutes.
But the Brazil fans were left scratching their heads as Guimaraes stepped up to take the kick instead of Vinicius Junior, and that confusion turned to exasperation when Orjan Nyland dived to his left to save what was a poorly executed spot-kick.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken replaced both of his wingers after half-time, sending on Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb, a masterstroke that gave Haaland the supporting cast he needed to put on a show.
The Manchester City striker was a full head above the Brazil defenders as he headed in the opener from a superb cross by Schjelderup, getting in front of Arsenal's centre back Gabriel at the last second to nod home with power.
Eleven minutes later, Schjelderup again teed up Haaland, who dug deep into his reserves of strength and power to fire in an unstoppable strike from outside the box as Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti sat grim-faced in the dugout.
Neymar's penalty 10 minutes into stoppage-time did little to change Ancelotti's mood, and came to late to spark any real hope of a comeback.
While Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was finally beatne, crucial saves from the Sevilla stopper earlier in the match also went a long way to ensuring Norway's victory as Brazil failed to make the best of its opportunities.
"I said to the boys today that I don't think it's 50-50, but we have a fair chance if we play at our best and have matchwinners, and we had that," Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.
The Brazil players were left shattered by the humbling loss.
"It’s inexplicable," defender Marquinhos said. "We have to take responsibility for this so that future generations can build on it."
Norway will play England in the last eight after the Three Lions battled past Mexico to win an epic contest 3-2 at Azteca Stadium.
