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Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 knockout match between Brazil and Norway at New York–New Jersey Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Erling Haaland scored a late brace and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland saved an early penalty as Norway stunned record winners Brazil 2-1 on Sunday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Nyland saved a tame spot kick from Bruno Guimaraes in the 14th minute before Haaland, who had a quiet afternoon until then, rose to give the Scandinavians a 79th minute lead and then fired the second from a distance in the 90th.
Veteran star Neymar pulled one back with a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time but it was too late.
Brazil had many chances which they wasted or were denied by Nyland as they went out as early as in the last 16 for the first time since 1990. Their last title was in 2002.
Norway maintained their astonishing unbeaten record against Brazil with a third victory, to go with two draws. They also won their other World Cup match, 2-1 in 1998.
Haaland doing Haaland things
Haaland raised his tournament tally to seven goals, drawing level at the top of the scorer charts with Argentina's Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé of France.
The Manchester City star then took the drum part in the now famous rowing routine of fans and players as their fairytale continues in the quarter-finals where they will face co-hosts Mexico or England, who play their last 16 match later on Sunday.
"I have already had a few highlights at this tournament. Today was another highlight. I normally score when I have one or two chances. That is simply what I do," Haaland said.
Brazil face rebuild
Brazil's shocked captain Marquinhos said: "It is inexplicable. We have experience and quality. We knew it would be difficult. We had chances, a penalty we didn't convert. Norway took their chances.
"Now a new phase starts. We don't know what will happen, I hope that the fans and Brazilian people will be patient with us. We made mistakes. There are no weak teams. We must apologise and learn from the mistakes.
"The next World Cup is in four years and we want to win it."
Frantic start and missed penalty
Norway started with a bang and had the ball in Brazil's net in the third minute but Alexander Sørloth was offside when he got the ball he then crossed for Patrick Berg to smash into the top corner.
That served as a wake-up call for the Seleção who won a penalty when Kristoffer Ajer mowed down Matheus Cunha. The spot kick was given upon review while Norway protested in vain that Brazil had won the ball because of a foul on Antonio Nusa.
But Bruno Guimaraes' 14th-minute spot kick into the right corner was tame and palmed away by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
Brazil tried their luck twice in vain on the counter before Nyland denied a dangerous cross from Gabriel Martinelli reaching Guimaraes and was on his guard against Vinícius Júnior's attempt into the near corner.
Norway's biggest chance came on the stroke of half-time when Erling Haaland set up Martin Ødegaard who however couldn't get past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Brazil miss again and bring on Neymar
Endrick came on just before the hour and should have scored less than a minute later. But, set up superbly by Vinícius Júnior, he aimed left alone in front of Nyland, who then then saved a long range effort from Rayan.
At the other end, Haaland then narrowly missed a cross from Ajer at the far post and Alisson was alert against substitute Andreas Schjelderup.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded Neymar for his second appearance at the tournament but soon it was Haaland who then made the headlines after being almost invisible until then.
Deadly Haaland settles match
Haaland sneaked in ahead of long-time Arsenal foe Gabriel for a bullet header into the bottom corner off Schjelderup.
Nyland tipped a freak looping ball from Ajer away with a little help from the post, and in the 90th Schjelderup found Haaland again to drill into the same right corner from outside the area.
Neymar's penalty, after a long exchange of words with Nyland, did not change matters as Brazil suffered their latest World Cup disappointment.
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