Haaland Levels Golden Boot Race as Norway Dump Brazil Out of World Cup

Haaland brace fires Norway past Brazil

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in New Jersey to reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final and end Brazil’s run.

Historic Erling Haaland double seals Norway’s shock win over Brazil at 2026 World Cup...

Erling Haaland scored twice to stun Brazil in New Jersey, as Norway claimed a 2-1 last-16 win at the 2026 World Cup and booked a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Brazil were chasing a record sixth World Cup title, while Norway - with little history at the finals - were aiming to write their own chapter on the biggest stage.

 

Norway made a sharp start under Stale Solbakken and thought they’d scored a slick team goal, but Alexander Sørloth was just offside before he set up Patrick Berg to finish.

The disallowed goal could have hurt even more after Kristoffer Ajer was penalized for fouling Matheus Cunha. Referee Ismail Elfath awarded Brazil a penalty following a VAR check, but Bruno Guimarães wasted it - his weak spot-kick was easily saved by Orjan Nyland.

Ancelotti’s Brazil lifted the tempo and nearly scored when Gabriel Martinelli burst down the left. Nyland stood tall to deny him, with Bruno Guimarães lurking in the six-yard box ready to tap in.

Norway stayed in the game as Martin Odegaard shot into the side netting. The captain then made a mistake that almost cost them, but Nyland rescued him with a superb save to stop Vinícius Júnior. At the other end, Alisson had seen little action but was forced to get down well to keep out Odegaard’s effort right before halftime.

The second half started slowly, so Ancelotti shook things up just before the hour by bringing on 19-year-old Endrick for Matheus Cunha. Endrick nearly made an instant impact, running onto a sharp Vinícius through ball but dragging his shot wide with only Nyland to beat. Norway’s goalkeeper was in top form though, and he was at it again moments later to deny Rayan.

Norway smelled blood and nearly struck. Haaland came within inches of getting on the end of deliveries from both Andreas Schjelderup and Kristoffer Ajer inside the area. Schjelderup, lively off the bench, was causing problems and made Alisson work with a powerful shot at the near post. The tide was turning, and in the 79th minute Haaland broke through - rising to power home a brilliant header at the far post from Schjelderup’s cross.

Norway smelled blood and nearly struck. Haaland came within inches of getting on the end of deliveries from both Andreas Schjelderup and Kristoffer Ajer inside the area. Schjelderup, lively off the bench, was causing problems and made Alisson work with a powerful shot at the near post. The tide was turning, and in the 79th minute Haaland broke through — rising to power home a brilliant header at the far post from Schjelderup’s cross.

Nyland was outstanding in goal and somehow scrambled back to clear an own goal off the line. Then Haaland stole the show again, calmly smashing a left-footed shot past Alisson as if it was nothing.

That second goal broke Brazil, the five-time champions, and killed the game. It also put Haaland on seven goals for the tournament, level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. Brazil did pull one back in added time after Leo Ostigard was penalized for a foul on Casemiro, and Neymar slotted home the penalty.

  

Solbakken’s Norway will play the winner of Mexico vs England in Miami next Saturday. They also extend their impressive record of remaining unbeaten against Brazil in five meetings.

For Ancelotti and Brazil, questions will follow a tough night. They have now lost seven straight World Cup knockout games against European teams.