Norway produced one of the biggest shocks of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to secure a historic first-ever place in the quarter-finals and extend Brazil’s painful run of World Cup disappointments.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland emerged as the hero, scoring twice in the closing stages after goalkeeper Orjan Nyland delivered a remarkable performance, including a first-half penalty save, to frustrate the South Americans at MetLife Stadium.
The stunning victory condemned Brazil to another early exit despite the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, who was brought in to end the country’s 24-year wait for a sixth World Cup title.
Haaland’s late heroics also saw him draw level with Lionel Messi as the tournament’s joint-leading scorer with seven goals.
Brazil had an opportunity to seize control of the contest in the first half after Kristoffer Ajer brought down Matheus Cunha inside the penalty area. Although referee Ismail Elfath initially dismissed the appeals, VAR intervened and awarded the spot-kick.
However, Bruno Guimarães failed to capitalize, with Nyland diving low to his left to brilliantly keep out the Newcastle United midfielder’s effort.
The Norwegian goalkeeper continued to frustrate Brazil throughout the encounter, denying Gabriel Martinelli, VinÃcius Júnior, Rayan, and Guimarães with a string of outstanding saves that kept the contest level.
Norway nearly took an early lead when Patrick Berg found the net inside three minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Brazil also created several promising chances before halftime, with Alisson Becker producing a fine save to deny Martin Ødegaard after Haaland’s strength unsettled the Brazilian defence.
Seeking a breakthrough, Norway coach StÃ¥le Solbakken introduced Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup at the start of the second half, while Brazil responded by bringing on teenage striker Endrick, who squandered a clear opportunity after being brilliantly released by VinÃcius Júnior.
The introduction of Neymar in the 67th minute lifted the largely pro-Brazil crowd, but it was Norway that finally broke the deadlock.
With 11 minutes remaining, Schjelderup delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and Haaland rose highest to power a commanding header beyond Alisson, sending the Norwegian supporters into celebration.
As Brazil desperately pushed for an equaliser, Nyland produced yet another crucial intervention before Haaland struck the decisive blow in the 90th minute, drilling a low finish into the bottom corner to complete his brace and seemingly end the contest.
Brazil pulled one back deep into stoppage time after Neymar converted a second penalty following a foul on Casemiro, although the goal came too late to prevent another painful World Cup elimination.
The result ensured Norway advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history, where they will face either co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.
For Brazil, the defeat marked another chapter in a prolonged World Cup struggle. It was the sixth consecutive tournament in which the Seleção have been eliminated by European opposition and their earliest exit from the competition since suffering a last-16 defeat to Argentina in 1990.
