Haaland knocks Brazil out as Norway reach World Cup quarters
Norway produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup by defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to secure a historic place in the quarter-finals. Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway into the last eight for the first time and end Brazil’s campaign much earlier than expected.
Brazil controlled large periods of the match and created several chances, but Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland delivered an outstanding performance. He made a series of brilliant saves, including stopping a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes, to keep his team in the game.
Norway thought they had taken an early lead, but Patrick Berg’s goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Brazil were awarded a penalty after a challenge inside the box. Although the referee initially waved play on, VAR reviewed the incident and awarded the penalty. However, Guimaraes failed to convert as Nyland guessed correctly and made an excellent save.
The Norwegian goalkeeper continued to frustrate Brazil by denying Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes with several outstanding saves throughout the match. Despite Brazil’s pressure, Norway remained patient and waited for their opportunity. Their breakthrough finally came in the closing stages when Andreas Schjelderup delivered a perfect cross for Erling Haaland, who powered a header into the net to give Norway the lead.
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As Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Norway struck again. Haaland fired a powerful low shot into the corner in the 90th minute to double his team’s advantage and silence the Brazilian supporters. Brazil were awarded another penalty deep into stoppage time after Casemiro was fouled inside the box. Neymar calmly converted the spot-kick to reduce the deficit, but there was not enough time left to complete a comeback.
The defeat marked Brazil’s earliest FIFA World Cup exit since 1990 and extended the team’s disappointing run against European opponents in the knockout stages. It was also the sixth consecutive World Cup in which Brazil were eliminated by a European side.
Haaland’s two goals took his tournament tally to seven, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Norway will now face either Mexico or England in the quarter-finals. At the final whistle, Neymar was seen in tears, while Norway celebrated one of the greatest victories in the country’s football history.
