In a stunning upset at the World Cup 2026, Norway defeated five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a decisive brace in the latter stages of the match. Despite Brazil dominating possession and creating numerous chances, including a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães in the first half, Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland put in a heroic performance to keep them in the game. Norway, who introduced attacking substitutions in the second half, capitalized on Brazil's wastefulness and defensive lapses, with Haaland scoring in the 79th and 90th minutes, while Neymar Jr's late penalty proved to be a mere consolation for Brazil. The victory propels Norway into the quarterfinals where they will face the winner of the England versus Mexico match, a testament to their clinical finishing and resilience against a more favored opponent.

In a stunning upset at the World Cup 2026, Norway defeated five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a decisive brace in the latter stages of the match. Despite Brazil dominating possession and creating numerous chances, including a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães in the first half, Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland put in a heroic performance to keep them in the game. Norway, who introduced attacking substitutions in the second half, capitalized on Brazil's wastefulness and defensive lapses, with Haaland scoring in the 79th and 90th minutes, while Neymar Jr's late penalty proved to be a mere consolation for Brazil. The victory propels Norway into the quarterfinals where they will face the winner of the England versus Mexico match, a testament to their clinical finishing and resilience against a more favored opponent.

In a stunning upset at the World Cup 2026, Norway defeated five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a decisive brace in the latter stages of the match. Despite Brazil dominating possession and creating numerous chances, including a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães in the first half, Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland put in a heroic performance to keep them in the game. Norway, who introduced attacking substitutions in the second half, capitalized on Brazil's wastefulness and defensive lapses, with Haaland scoring in the 79th and 90th minutes, while Neymar Jr's late penalty proved to be a mere consolation for Brazil. The victory propels Norway into the quarterfinals where they will face the winner of the England versus Mexico match, a testament to their clinical finishing and resilience against a more favored opponent.

Fourteen places separated Norway from Brazil on the FIFA Men’s World Rankings list, but on the field earlier today, they powered their way into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over the five-time world champions in the Round of 16 clash at the World Cup 2026.

Brazil had only themselves to blame for not putting the match to bed – especially in the first half – while they had their chances. With Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland playing the match of his life, striker Erling Haaland punished the Brazilians for their wastefulness, with a decisive brace late into the clash. Brazil managed to pull one back in the added time in the second half via a Neymar Jr penalty but it was too late by then.

Norway were quickly off the blocks in the first half, and Patrick Berg thought he had given Norway a sensational lead inside three minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up. After the initial scare, Brazil slowly settled into their rhythm. With midfielder Lucas Pacqueta adding to the list of injured players (Brazil sorely missed his creative play in the match), coach Carlo Ancelotti started with last-match hero Gabriel Martinelli in the 4-2-3-1 formation, giving him the freedom to roam and create overloads.

Brazil controlled much of the play in the first half, with Norway trusting their compact narrow block and trying to hit Brazil on the counter. The Selecao had the golden opportunity to take an early lead after a VAR review of a foul by Kristoffer Ajer on Matheus Cunha, leading to a penalty for Brazil in the 13thminute. Surprisingly, rather than their star forward Vinícius Júnior taking it, midfielder Bruno Guimarães stepped up, only to see his low effort after a stuttering run saved by Nyland.

The missed chance seemed to play on the Brazilian team’s mind as Norway had an odd look or two at the Brazilian goal, with Martin Odegaard cashing in on penalty-area chaos in added time to test goalkeeper Alisson Becker. At the other end, Nyland continued to impress, denying Vinicius, Rayan and Martinelli on more than one occasion. Brazil were largely successful in keeping Haaland quiet throughout the first half. They had seven attempts at the Norwegian goal against Norway’s four in the first half, but the score remained 0-0 at the break. The final third continued to be Brazil’s problem, with the Selecao unable to translate their dominance into goals.

The introduction of Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup by Norway coach Stale Solbakken in the second half added pace and directness down the wings, as the Norwegians started dictating possession and controlled the play. Brazil were guilty of retreating into a shell, inviting more attacks from Norway. Despite that, teenage star Endrick, who came on for Matheus Cunha in the 58th minute, had the best chance in the second half to give Brazil the lead within a minute of coming on. Vinicius played a brilliant ball bisecting two defenders but Endrick’s heavy touch ended in a misplaced shot with Nyland at his mercy. A goal would have made Ancelotti’s substitution a masterstroke but Endrick failed to keep his composure.

Even the introduction of their talisman Neymar Jr and Danilo Santos in the midfield failed to spur Brazil on as Norway enjoyed long spells of possession. With Brazil on the defensive and lacking proactiveness, Norway continued to press ahead. Minutes after Bruno was replaced by Ederson, Schjelderup finally found Haaland with a lovely cross into the box. The latter towered over Gabriel Magalhaes, who failed to attack the ball, and buried the ball into the low corner past Becker in the 79th minute. The goal seemed to take the wind out of Brazil’s sails, as they became frantic and desperate.

The upset was complete in the 90th minute, when Schjelderup turned the provider once again, finding Haaland at the edge of the box. With neither Gabriel nor Danilo closing him out, Haaland calmly drilled a low finish into the bottom corner to score his seventh goal of the tournament and go level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

Brazil’s desperation resulted in some heated exchanges between the players towards the end of the match. They managed to win a penalty in added time, which Neymar cooly converted despite words being exchanged between him and Nyland before the shot. It was a cruel reminder for the Brazil fans and the players of how the outcome could have been completely different had Bruno kept his composure and converted the earlier penalty.

The match stats favour Norway, with close to 60 per cent possession, five of the nine shots on target and 648 crosses as opposed to the Selecao’s 348. For much of the 90 minutes, Brazil had more control and created better opportunities. Yet, in the decisive moments, Norway and Haaland were clinical while Brazil were not. And they were punished for it by one of the best strikers currently in world football.

Norway will now look to continue their ‘Viking Row’ against either England or Mexico in the quarterfinal on July 11.

TAGS