One of the most shocking results of the 2026 World Cup: Norway defeated Brazil 2–1. Erling Haaland scored both goals for Norway in the 79th and 90th minute. For the first time in history, Norway have reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup. Brazil pulled one back in stoppage time with a penalty from Neymar (90+10), but it was not enough. The dream of a sixth World Cup title has once again fallen apart. Painfully, Brazil have now been eliminated by European teams in each of the last six World Cups: 2006 by France, 2010 by the Netherlands, 2014 by Germany, 2018 by Belgium, 2022 by Croatia and now 2026 by Norway. It is also the first time since 1990 that Brazil have been knocked out of the tournament as early as the round of 16.
After the match, Haaland explained that he is steadily improving throughout the tournament and that when one or two chances arise, he usually converts them into goals. And that is exactly what he proved to the world today. In addition to the clinical Haaland, Norway had in Orjan Nyland a goalkeeper who delivered one of the best performances of his career.
Brazil, on the other hand, return home with major questions in their luggage: Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics, the use of Neymar, and the missed penalty decision. This could be the most painful exit of Neymar’s ‘Last Dance’ at a World Cup.
Norway are making history, and Haaland is leading this team on their path to becoming the most successful generation in the country’s history.
