Haaland brace sends Norway past Brazil in thriller

Manchester City: (Sports Desk) – Erling Erling Haaland scored twice late in the match as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland delivered an outstanding performance at MetLife Stadium, including a first-half penalty save from Bruno Guimaraes, before Haaland struck twice in the final 11 minutes to complete one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Brazil dominated much of the contest and were awarded an early penalty after Kristoffer Ajer fouled Matheus Cunha inside the area. Referee Ismail Elfath initially dismissed the appeals, but VAR reversed the decision. Guimaraes stepped up, but Nyland dived to his left to deny the midfielder.

Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil throughout the match, making key saves against Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior, Rayan and Guimaraes. He also denied Brazil several clear chances as Norway defended under sustained pressure.

Haaland, who had been closely marked for much of the game, finally broke the deadlock when he rose above Gabriel Magalhaes to head Andreas Schjelderup’s cross into the corner.

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The Manchester City striker then sealed Norway’s victory in the 90th minute, firing a low shot from outside the penalty area to make it 2-0.

Neymar pulled one back for Brazil from the penalty spot in the 10th minute of stoppage time after an incident involving Casemiro. The goal proved to be Neymar’s final contribution in an international career that produced 80 goals across 16 years but ended without a World Cup title.

Haaland’s double took him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven goals in the tournament. Norway will now face either Mexico or England in the quarter-final in Miami on July 11.

Brazil’s exit marks their earliest World Cup elimination since 1990 and extends their run of defeats to European teams in six consecutive World Cup tournaments. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had been appointed to help Brazil end a 24-year wait for another world title, but the campaign ended in heartbreak.