Norway pulled off a massive upset on Sunday in New Jersey, as striker Erling Haaland scored two late goals to knock out five-time record champions Brazil (2-1) from the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
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Brazil missed a penalty via Bruno Guimarães in the opening fifteen minutes, while Haaland struck hard (79' and 90') to take his tally to seven goals—leveling with France's Kylian Mbappé and Argentina's Lionel Messi. His country will now face the winner of the match between England and Mexico, who play later in Mexico City.
The Manchester City top scorer barely touched the ball during the game, but the 25-year-old continued his clinical run, bringing his international tally to 62 goals in 54 caps and 27 goals in Norway's last 14 competitive matches.
"It is simply a crazy day... one of the craziest days in Norway's history," Haaland said.
This marks the first time Brazil has failed to reach the quarterfinals since the 1990 edition in Italy, despite Neymar scoring a penalty deep into stoppage time. They have also now lost their last seven knockout stage encounters against European teams.
Conversely, Norway reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, in what is only their fourth appearance in the tournament.
They also sustained their historic hex over Brazil, remaining unbeaten against them in five encounters (3 wins and 2 draws). This includes a 2-1 victory at the 1998 World Cup, though that was in the group stage after Brazil had already guaranteed qualification.
Brazil had topped their group ahead of Morocco on goal difference but struggled in the Round of 32, where they had to come from behind to score a stoppage-time winner against Japan (2-1).
Meanwhile, Norway finished as runners-up in their group behind France, before eliminating Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32 through a late goal from Haaland, marking their first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout stage.
A Missed Penalty
Italian coach Ancelotti was forced into a tactical change after Lucas Paquetá sustained an injury against Japan, bringing in Gabriel Martinelli to start, while Raphinha returned to the bench after missing the last two matches with a thigh injury.
Rayan became only the third teenager to start three matches for Brazil in a single World Cup edition, following Pelé and José Altafini in 1958.
An early goal for Norway was disallowed for offside (3'), to which the Brazilians responded quickly when Matheus Cunha won a penalty following a foul by Kristoffer Ajer. However, Bruno Guimarães hit a weak spot-kick—his first penalty for the national team—which was saved by goalkeeper Nyland (14'). Guimarães, who has shone with assists in this edition, became the first Brazilian player to miss a World Cup penalty since Zico against France in the 1986 quarterfinals.
Martinelli (31') and Martin Ødegaard (35') traded chances before Vinícius Júnior wrapped up the first half with a dangerous shot that was turned away by Nyland (40').
With his very first touch after coming on, young talent Endrick received a pass from Vinícius on a counter-attack but dragged his shot wide when clean through on goal (59'). Rayan then tried his luck with a long-range effort that was saved by the keeper (60').
At this point, Ancelotti substituted Martinelli for Neymar (67'). Prior to Sunday, the Brazilian national team's all-time top scorer (79 goals) had only appeared as a substitute once before in his four World Cup appearances, playing the final 14 minutes of Brazil's 3-0 group-stage win over Scotland.
But the response came from Haaland. Rising above his Premier League rival, Arsenal defender Gabriel, he powered an unstoppable header past Alisson (79').
Nyland continued his heroic performance, with help from the post, to deny an effort from Endrick (85'). Casemiro then misfired on a cross-turned-shot that sailed wide of the post (86').
As Brazil pushed desperately for an equalizer, Haaland struck his second goal of the match. Fed by another pass from substitute Andreas Schjelderup, he placed a low shot into the corner from the edge of the box (90').
Seconds after coming onto the pitch, Leo Østigård committed a foul on Casemiro inside the area. The referee awarded a penalty which Neymar converted more than two minutes past the designated stoppage time (90+10'). Right after, the referee blew the final whistle, confirming Norway's qualification and delaying Brazil's quest for a sixth title—their first since 2002.
