Norway's Erling Haaland scores with a left-footed shot against Brazil in their 2026 North America World Cup round-of-16 match on Sunday. [Reuters]
Norway's Erling Haaland scores with a left-footed shot against Brazil in their 2026 North America World Cup round-of-16 match on Sunday. [Reuters]

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway knocked out title contender Brazil to reach the quarterfinals in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the round of 16 at the 2026 North America World Cup.

Making their first World Cup appearance since the 1998 France tournament, Norway achieved their best-ever result at the competition. The victory also completed a perfect World Cup record against Brazil — Norway had beaten them 2-1 in the group stage at that same 1998 edition.

In the quarterfinals, Norway will face the winner of the Mexico-England match for a place in the semifinals.

Brazil had the first clear chance in the 14th minute when a foul by Kristoffer Ajer earned them a penalty. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up, but his hesitant, flat effort was read perfectly by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who dived left to make the save.

Gabriel Martinelli then burst down the left flank and fired a shot, and Vinicius Junior intercepted a Martin Odegaard pass outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful attempt — but Nyland stopped both.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, unable to seize control despite ceding possession, brought on Neymar for Martinelli in the 68th minute to sharpen the attack.

Norway players perform their Viking clap celebration after defeating Brazil in the 2026 North America World Cup round of 16 on Sunday. Leading the celebration at the front, beating a drum, is Erling Haaland, who scored both of Norway's goals. [AP]
Norway players perform their Viking clap celebration after defeating Brazil in the 2026 North America World Cup round of 16 on Sunday. Leading the celebration at the front, beating a drum, is Erling Haaland, who scored both of Norway's goals. [AP]

It was Norway's superstar who ultimately broke the deadlock. In the 79th minute, Brazil's defense momentarily lost track of Haaland in the center, and Andreas Sjelderup whipped a cross to the front of the goal. Haaland darted in and headed it into the net.

Stung by the goal, Brazil threw men forward in search of an equalizer, but Nyland and the Norwegian backline held firm.

Norway doubled their lead in the 90th minute when Haaland received a pass from Sjelderup on the left side of the penalty area and drove a powerful left-footed shot into the net.

The brace gave Haaland seven goals in the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kylian Mbappe of France at the top of the scoring charts.

In seven minutes of stoppage time, Brazil won a penalty and Neymar converted to pull one back, but it was not enough.


yjc@heraldcorp.com