Erling Haaland struck twice in the dying moments of the match as Norway stunned five‑time world champions Brazil 2‑1 on Sunday (July 5), booking their first‑ever place in the World Cup quarter‑finals.
Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland made an early save from Bruno Guimarães' penalty, and that proved crucial as Haaland then broke the deadlock with a powerful header before adding a second just 11 minutes later.
The towering Manchester City forward overpowered Gabriel Magalhães to meet Andreas Schjelderup's cross with a forceful header past Alisson in the 79th minute, giving Norway the lead. In the 90th minute, Haaland doubled the advantage by driving a low shot between Danilo Santos's legs and beyond the reach of the Brazilian keeper.
With that brace, Haaland joined Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappé at the top of the tournament scoring chart with seven goals apiece. He also took his overall international tally to 62 goals in 54 senior appearances for Norway.
Neymar, who had come on as a substitute in the 67th minute, pulled one back from the penalty spot during stoppage time, but the strike came too late to prevent Brazil from crashing out in the round of 16 for the first time since the 1990 World Cup.
Nyland was equally instrumental in the victory. He dived to his left to deny Guimarães' 14th‑minute spot‑kick and later produced a crucial stop to keep out Endrick's effort as Norway clung to their slender lead in the closing stages.
"It might be that this result etches a new chapter in Norwegian football history," Haaland said. "Everyone should simply relish the moment. This is an extraordinary day – one of the most extraordinary in our country's sporting history. Soak it in and celebrate."
Brazil captain Marquinhos lamented his team's failure to capitalise on their opportunities. "We really missed our chances," he said. "We had a penalty and several other openings, but that's the World Cup – the teams that make fewer mistakes progress and taste victory."
Norway will now face the winner of the other last‑16 tie between Mexico and England, which is set to be played at the iconic Mexico City stadium – the same venue where England were undone by Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" in the 1986 quarter‑final.
(Source: Xinhua)
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