Norway put in a brilliant performance in the pre-quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating five-time world champions Brazil 1-2 to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
In a thrilling match played at the New Jersey Stadium in New York, Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland, destroyed the Brazilian defence by scoring 2 goals in the last 11 minutes. Norway’s goalkeeper Orian Nyland also played a decisive role in this victory, saving Bruno Guimarães’ penalty brilliantly in the first half and keeping his team in the match.
Brazil scored a goal in the 10th minute of injury time on Neymar’s penalty, but it was not enough to avoid defeat. Holland scored 2 goals in this match to take his tournament tally to 7, bringing him level with Lionel Messi. Norway will now face either England or hosts Mexico in the quarter-finals in Miami on July 11.
The defeat was extremely disappointing for Brazil, as the team under new leadership, coach Carlo Ancelotti, was expected to perform better in the World Cup. Brazil were knocked out of the knockout stages by a European team in their sixth consecutive World Cup, and the first time since 1990 that they had failed to reach the quarter-finals.
Norway started the match with a quick start, and Patrick Berg scored in the third minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Brazil had a golden opportunity in the first half when a penalty was awarded following a VAR review, but goalkeeper Niland made a brilliant save from Bruno Guimarães’ weak effort. Niland then kept his team in the competition by denying Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior, and other Brazilian players.
In the second half, Brazil kept up the pressure, and the coach made several changes, including young Andrik, but the Norwegian defence and goalkeeper held firm. Finally, in the 79th minute, Erling Haaland gave Norway the lead with a magnificent header from Andreas Scheldrop’s cross. In the last moment of regulation time, the Netherlands scored another powerful shot to make the score 0-2.
Brazil was awarded a second penalty in injury time, which Neymar converted to reduce the deficit, but as time ran out, Brazil had to accept the bitter reality of being eliminated from the tournament.
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