Erling Haaland produced another defining World Cup performance as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 on Sunday to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the men’s team’s history.The defeat also marked the end of an era for Brazil, with Neymar Jr. announcing his retirement from international football after the match following the five-time world champions’ shock elimination. After a quiet opening for much of the contest, Haaland came alive in the closing stages, scoring twice to send Norway into the last eight and spark celebrations across the Scandinavian nation. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just need to enjoy themselves. This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.” The turning point came after a second-half hydration break when Norway coach Ståle Solbakken urged his star striker to empty the tank and attack with greater intensity. The message had the desired effect. Introduced at half-time, Andreas Schjelderup transformed Norway’s attack and created both goals for Haaland. The striker powered home a header in the 79th minute to put Norway ahead before adding another just over two minutes later with a composed finish through Danilo’s legs. The brace took Haaland’s tally to seven goals in the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi of Argentina and France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot. “It felt it was a gift from God that it actually went into the net,” Haaland said after scoring in a 14th consecutive competitive international match. He has now netted 27 goals during that streak and 62 in just 54 appearances for Norway. While Haaland delivered at one end, veteran goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland ensured Norway stayed in control at the other. The 35-year-old produced one of the biggest saves of the tournament by diving low to his left to keep out Bruno Guimarães’ penalty in the 14th minute. He later denied Endrick with another outstanding stop as Brazil chased an equaliser. Nyland was eventually beaten only in stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty, reducing the deficit but arriving too late to prevent Brazil’s elimination. The result marks one of the greatest achievements in Norwegian men’s football history. Although Norway’s women lifted the World Cup in 1995, the men’s side had previously reached the tournament only four times and had never progressed beyond the round of 16. They had also failed to qualify since 1998 before this campaign. “I think that all Norwegian citizens are experiencing the night of a lifetime,” Solbakken said. “Some people say that we have changed Norway forever. Probably, they will party for a week or so.” Norway will now face the winner of the Mexico versus England round-of-16 clash in the quarter-finals in Miami Gardens, Florida. Solbakken revealed that more than a dozen of his friends had already arranged travel to South Florida. For Brazil, the defeat marked another painful World Cup exit. Guimarães became the first Brazilian player since Zico in 1986 to miss a penalty during a World Cup. The decision to hand him penalty duties instead of Vinícius Júnior immediately came under scrutiny. Coach Carlo Ancelotti defended the choice, explaining that a year-long statistical analysis had identified Guimarães as the designated taker with Neymar absent from the field and Raphinha unavailable through injury. Brazil also wasted other promising opportunities, including a move where Casemiro failed to find Neymar with a cross that could have produced an equaliser. “We really fell short in the opportunities that we did create,” captain Marquinhos said. “We had a penalty kick, we had some other chances as well, but here’s the World Cup for you. Those that make the least mistakes are able to move forward to the next round, and to be victorious.” The five-time world champions exited far earlier than expected after entering the tournament among the favourites. It also ended Brazil’s run of eight consecutive World Cup quarter-final appearances, with the Seleção failing to reach the last eight for the first time since 1990. Brazil have now lost seven straight World Cup knockout matches against European opposition, a run stretching back to their victory over Germany in the 2002 final. The absence of injured midfielder Lucas Paquetá further weakened the side. “I’ve peaked a couple of times during this tournament, but this was a new peak,” Haaland said.
