Haaland Stuns Brazil as Norway Advances

Brazil controlled the ball but couldn't break through Norway's defense, ultimately falling to Erling Haaland's decisive strikes in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 on July 6 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. After Brazil edged Japan 2-1 and Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the group stage, the teams met with history favoring Norway, which won 2-1 against Brazil in 1998 and drew 1-1 in a 2006 friendly.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti deployed Brazil in a 4-4-2 formation with Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos, Rayane, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli, Mateus Cunha, and Vinicius Junior in the starting eleven. Norway's Stale Solbakken countered with a 4-3-3 setup featuring Orjan Nyland, Julian Ryerson, Christoff Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Wolfe, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth, and Erling Haaland.

Norway nearly scored in the fourth minute when Patrick Berg found the net, but the referee disallowed it for offside by Alexander Sorloth. Brazil was awarded a penalty in the 12th minute, but Bruno Guimaraes' shot was saved by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. In the second half, Norway continued dominating possession with multiple chances, but Nyland made crucial saves until the 79th minute when Haaland broke through to give Norway a 1-0 lead. Haaland sealed the victory with a second goal in the 90th minute. Though Neymar converted a penalty in the 90+10th minute for Brazil's consolation goal, it came too late in Norway's 2-1 final victory.

Norway advances to the quarterfinals to face the winner of England versus Mexico on July 12 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.