Norway pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The match was goalless and short on clear chances for long periods, with Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland the standout performer of the first half. He saved a tame penalty from Bruno Guimarães after a stuttered run-up, then produced a stunning stop to deny a potential Kristoffer Ajer own goal moments later, keeping the score level at the break.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute when Erling Haaland rose above Arsenal defender Gabriel to head home a cross beyond Alisson. The Manchester City striker doubled his tally in the 90th minute with a low, precise strike from outside the box that found the far corner, sending the Norwegian bench into wild celebrations. Substitute Neymar, playing just his second match of the tournament, pulled one back with a stoppage-time penalty, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The result marks a historic first World Cup quarterfinal for Norway, who reached the knockout stages for only the third time ever after 1938 and 1998 — the latter also featuring a win over Brazil. Remarkably, Norway remain the only nation never to have lost to Brazil, now having beaten them three times and drawn twice across their history.
For Haaland, the brace brings his tournament tally to seven goals, level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the top of the Golden Boot race. Norway will now face England in the quarterfinals.