Norway Stuns Brazil to Reach FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway stunned Brazil with a 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in New Jersey. The historic victory sent Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Brazil came into the match hoping to continue its bid for a sixth World Cup title, while Norway was aiming to make history by reaching the last eight. Norway started well and thought it had taken the lead, but the goal was ruled out for offside after Alexander Sorloth made his run a fraction too early before setting up Patrick Berg to score.

Brazil was then handed a great chance to go in front when Kristoffer Ajer was judged to have fouled Matheus Cunha inside the penalty area following a VAR review. However, Bruno Guimaraes failed to make the most of the opportunity, as Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland comfortably saved his penalty.

Brazil began to put more pressure on Norway and came close to scoring when Gabriel Martinelli made a strong run down the left. However, Orjan Nyland produced another excellent save to deny him, with Bruno Guimaraes waiting for a rebound inside the six-yard box.

Norway continued to threaten as well, with Martin Odegaard hitting the side netting. The captain then made a mistake that nearly handed Brazil the opening goal, but Nyland came to the rescue again by making a fine save to stop Vinícius Júnior.

The second half started slowly, leading Carlo Ancelotti to make a change just before the hour mark by bringing on Endrick in place of Matheus Cunha.

The 19-year-old nearly made an instant impact after meeting a perfectly timed through ball from Vinicius Junior, but he sent his shot wide with only Orjan Nyland to beat.

Afterwards, Erling Haaland came up with a brilliant strike that stunned Brazil, giving Norway a crucial 1-0 on the scoreboard.

Nyland then produced another brilliant moment, racing back to stop an own goal before Erling Haaland stole the spotlight once again. The striker calmly fired a left-footed shot past Alisson Becker to double Norway's lead.

The goal left Brazil with a mountain to climb and also took Haaland to seven goals in the tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Brazil managed to pull one back deep into stoppage time after Leo Ostigard conceded a penalty for a foul on Casemiro, and Neymar converted from the spot, but it was not enough to prevent Norway from sealing a famous victory.