Haaland’s brace knocks Brazil out as Norway reach first World Cup quarter-final
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the first World Cup quarter-final in their history, ending the five-time champions’ tournament in the last 16.
Jul 5, 2026
Norway had never reached a World Cup quarter-final. They will spend the rest of this tournament in one, and they have Erling Haaland to thank. His two second-half goals knocked Brazil out at New York New Jersey Stadium on 5 July. A 2-1 win, and a genuine World Cup shock.
A missed penalty set the tone
Brazil had the first real chance and threw it away. A VAR review in the 14th minute punished Kristoffer Ajer for a foul on Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Guimaraes stepped up. Orjan Nyland guessed right, dived low to his right and pushed the effort clear. The penalty was a poor one, and it ended a streak four decades old. Until Sunday, Brazil had scored every spot-kick they had ever taken at a World Cup.
Norway took heart from that save. They kept the ball, pushed Brazil deeper than the Selecao are used to sitting, and reached the break level. For long stretches it was Norway who dictated the tempo, an unfamiliar sight against a Brazil side that usually sets it.
Haaland decides it
The deadlock broke in the 79th minute. Andreas Schjelderup hung up a cross from the left, Haaland rose above the Brazilian defence and headed it in. Eleven minutes later he put the tie beyond reach, taking the ball down and drilling a long-range strike into the corner to make it 2-0.
Neymar, on since the 67th minute, gave Brazil a pulse from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. It came too late to matter. Norway saw out the closing seconds and the New Jersey night belonged to them.
Level with Mbappe and Messi
The brace carried Haaland to seven goals at this World Cup, level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts. Norway’s road to the last four runs squarely through their number nine, and Brazil could not find an answer to him.
What comes next
Norway meet the winner of Mexico against England in the quarter-final, a tie set for Saturday, 11 July. For Brazil it is an early flight home, their tournament ended by a side reaching this stage for the very first time.