Haaland double kicks Brazil out of the World Cup and sends Norway into the quarterfinals
Monday, July 06, 2026
Norway's Erling Haaland is seen during their Group I match against Iraq at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Haaland scored twice against Brazil to send Norway into the quarter finals. (Xinhua photo)

Norway 2-1 Brazil

Erling Haaland delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice in the closing stages as Norway stunned Brazil national football team 2-1 to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history on Sunday.

After a largely quiet afternoon, Haaland came alive in the final 10 minutes to break Brazilian hearts and send Norway into the last eight with a memorable victory.

The towering striker rose highest in the 80th minute to head home a perfectly weighted cross from substitute Andreas Schjelderup, giving Norway the breakthrough after a tense, evenly contested encounter.

Schjelderup, introduced at halftime, proved to be the game's turning point. After providing the opener, he set up Haaland again late in regulation time, allowing the prolific forward to calmly finish for his second of the afternoon and seventh goal of the tournament.

The brace saw Haaland draw level with Lionel Messi as the World Cup's leading scorer with seven goals, underlining his growing influence on football's biggest stage.

Brazil managed a consolation goal deep into stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty, but it came too late to alter the outcome as Norway comfortably saw out the remaining seconds.

The result marks one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and ends Brazil's campaign in disappointing fashion.

The five-time world champions arrived at the tournament among the favourites but failed to live up to expectations, suffering their earliest World Cup exit since 1990. The defeat also ended Brazil's remarkable run of eight consecutive appearances in the quarterfinals.

Norway, inspired by Haaland will now look to continue their dream run in the quarter finals where they will face either hosts Mexico or England.