Erling Haaland scores twice to send Norway past Brazil at World Cup
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The Viking feud continues at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and after his masterful performance against Brazil on Sunday, it’s superstar Erling Haaland that every Norwegian can thank for that.
After Haaland scored two goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil, Norway advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in the World Cup.
But this tournament has proven that no matter how many times Haaland touches the ball, he is just like Thanos: he is inevitable.
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Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates with teammates Andreas Schjelderup and David Moller Wolfe after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Norway, which had A-class chances throughout the match like Brazil, took a very early penalty shot and found another one in the penalty area when a short cross came in front of the goal. The Brazilian defense momentarily lost track of Haaland and that was all it took for the 1.80m tall Norwegian to leap up and head the ball, which sailed past goalkeeper Allison to take the lead.
It was the 79th minute of the game and it felt like the back-and-forth between the two countries was finally decisive.
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Both goalkeepers, including Norway’s Ørjan Nyland, had a fantastic game. However, Nyland’s save of Bruno Guimarão’s penalty kick in the 14th minute changed the course of the match.
Many wondered before this match why superstar Vini Jr., who had scored four goals in the World Cup, gave the ball to Guimaraes to take the first penalty of his career for Brazil. And looking at the outcome, they were right.
Brazil had other threats to Norway; Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous cross in the first half, but Nyland managed to close the door once again with a 0-0 draw.
Norway’s David Moller Wolfe, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland celebrate the opening goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar)
Haaland’s breakthrough late in the second half transformed Norway into a defensively focused team, while Brazil, who had delighted Neymar Jr. to a sold-out crowd in New Jersey, were desperately trying to put things back together.
But leave it to Manchester City’s superstar striker to find an opportunity and take advantage of it.
Haaland sealed the victory for Norway by pushing the ball forward with his left foot from just outside the Brazilian penalty area and firing a low shot into the right side past the sprawling Allison to make it 2-0 in the 90th minute. Although his teammates screamed and jumped on his back, Haaland was not flashy or flashy.
This is what he does; score a goal. He now has seven goals this World Cup and is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentinian Lionel Messi in contention for the Golden Boot Award as the tournament’s top scorer.
Brazil won another penalty shoot-out immediately after Haaland’s second goal, this time scored by Neymar. Neymar buried what was ultimately a consolation goal after he and Nyland were seen chatting back and forth. He and Nyland talked again, but Norway was the only one who cheered when the whistle blew at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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This is Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years and they have more than represented their country well. They defeated a five-time Brazilian champion to keep their title hopes alive and Haaland continues to play a big role in making that happen for his team.
That’s why there was no one else in the stands to lead the Viking bench after the match as Haaland gleefully beat the drums to stage one of the best celebrations this tournament has seen during a fantastic World Cup.
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