Brazil 1-2 Norway: Haaland brace inspires historic win as Seleção sink to 36-year low

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Brazil 1-2 Norway: Haaland brace inspires historic win as Seleção sink to 36-year low

Erling Haaland’s late brace fired Norway to a historic 2-1 victory over Brazil in New Jersey as Ståle Solbakken’s sidemarched into the quarter finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil were frustrated to head into the interval level after Bruno Guimaraes saw his VAR-awarded penalty kept out by Orjan Nyland, in what proved an action-packed first half.

Nyland produced a number of impressive stops to thwart the five-time world champions before Haaland nodded in the opening goal in the 79th minute and then doubled the advantage with a powerful strike 10 minutes later.

Brazil legend Neymar Junior netted a consolation penalty deep into additional time but Solbakken’s men were victorious.

Norway advance to the last eight for the first time in their history whilst Seleção crash out before the quarter finals for the first time in 36 years. Haaland and Co. will take on the winner of Mexico vs England in Miami.

As it happened​

With both sides having demonstrated their attacking prowess throughout the tournament, a fast start was always on the cards in New Jersey and Norway thought they’d taken the lead inside three minutes.

A swift move down the right flank saw captain Martin Odegaard slip the ball into the path of Alexander Sorloth, but the towering forward had strayed offside before his cut-back was expertly swept home by Patrick Berg.

It was Ancelotti’s men who had the best early chance to get their noses in front. Matheus Cunha was hacked down inside the box by Kristoffer Ajer and after a VAR review, Brazil were given a spot kick.

Guimaraes elected to take the penalty but after a stuttering run-up the Newcastle midfielder was superbly denied by Nyland, who sprung to his left and pushed the strike away.

Another guilt-edged opening was squandered by the Brazilians when Gabriel Martinelli combined with Vinicius Junior, only for the Arsenal man to see his square pass towards Guimaraes cut-out by Nyland.

Vinicius drew another smart stop from the Norwegian goalkeeper five minutes from the break before Alisson got down well to deny Odegaard.

The game continued at a frenetic place throughout the first period, with both sides keen to land an all-important opening goal – yet the score remained level at the interval.

Searching for more inspiration, Ancelotti turned to Endrick in the 57th minute and the youngster nearly broke the deadlock with his first involvement.

Vinicius excellently poked the ball into the 19-year-old’s path, as he drifted beyond the Norwegian backline, but his stabbed finish drifted wide of the post.

Rayan was next to sting the palms of Nyland, as Seleção continued piling pressure on Ståle Solbakken’s side, but the former Aston Villa ‘keeper was proving tricky to overcome.

Haaland was a passenger for large parts of the opening hour on the East Coast but he twice almost stole in at the back post during an encouraging few minutes for Norway.

Another neatly crafted counter attack presented substitute Andreas Schjelderup with an opening and though Alisson was equal to the winger’s strike, Solbakken’s men were increasingly enjoying the better of the chances.

The pressure told with 11 minutes left of regulation time as Schjelderup stood the ball up for Haaland, who burst away from Gabriel Magalhaes and powered his header beyond Alisson.

Nyland once more came to his country’s rescue when he instinctively clawed away a calamitous miskick from Ajer which looked certain to nestle in his own net.

Haaland put the game to bed in the final minute of the 90, driving an inch-perfect effort in off the post to take his tally at this summer’s tournament to seven – drawing level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

There was one final twist in the eighth minute of stoppage time as Brazil were handed a second penalty when Leo Ostigard caught Casemiro with a flailing elbow. Neymar did get a swansong goal in canary yellow but it proved a mere consolation as Norway progressed.

The victory sees Norway advance to the last eight of the World Cup for the first time in their history whilst Brazil crash out at the round of 16 for the first time in 36 years.

Norway will face the winner of Mexico vs England in Miami on Saturday.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.

Brazil – Norway Live Score

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