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Erling Haaland was the hero for Norway as his double strikes helped his side beat Brazil 2-1, in Sunday’s World Cup 2026 round of 16 clash.
It is the first-time ever that Norway will reach the quarter-finals the FIFA World Cup.
Also, Brazil have now failed to beat Norway in their meetings – losing three and drawing two.
A late Neymar penalty was not enough as Norway made it two wins in two clashes with Brazil at the FIFA World Cup (first meeting was in the group stage in France 1998 which Norway won 2-1).
Haaland is now joint-top scorer with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven goals.
The last time Brazil lost in the World Cup round of 16 was at the 1990 edition in Italy, when they lost 1-0 to Argentina.
Brazil had the chance to take the lead in the 14th minute from the penalty spot but Bruno Guimaraes saw his effort saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper.
Haaland the broke the deadlock in the 79th minute as he rose highest past Arsenal’s Gabriel to head home a well delivered cross.
Then in the 90th minute Haaland made it 2-0 as he drilled home a low left-foot strike beyond the outstretched hands of Alisson.
But 10 minutes into added time Neymar pulled one back for penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.
All efforts to force the game to extra-time proved futile as Norway held on to progress to the last eight, where they will face Mexico or England.
By James Agberebi
2 Comments
Can you hear the laughter? Raucous, brash laughter.
Joao Pedro is laughing so hard, his hair braids are falling off.
For whatever reason, Ancelotti would not include him in the squad. Brazil’s red hot striker, probably their most in-form striker at the moment, was excluded from the world cup squad. Now, see them struggling at the world cup without a natural finisher. Igor Thiago has not performed, Cunha is more of a support striker and not a main striker, Neymar is past his prime. Indeed, Vini Jr. is in form, and he’s done very well. But on his own, it was never going to be enough.
An acrimonious sacking awaits Carlo Ancelotti in the next few days.
Mbappe – 7 Goals
Messi – 7 Goals
Haaland – 7 Goals
Kane – 5 Goals
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