Erling Haaland delivered the shock of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, scoring twice as Norway dumped Brazil out with a stunning 2-1 victory in the Round of 16.
Brazil came to the New York New Jersey Stadium with history, pedigree and expectation.
Norway came with Haaland.
By the final whistle, it was the Manchester City striker who owned the night, dragging his country into the quarter-finals and sending the five-time world champions home.
Brazil controlled large parts of the game but wasted their biggest chance in the first half when Bruno Guimarães’ penalty was saved by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
That save changed the mood of the contest.
Norway stayed compact, absorbed pressure and waited for the moment their biggest weapon would arrive.
It came in the 79th minute when Andreas Schjelderup lifted a delivery into the box and Haaland rose above the Brazilian defence to head Norway in front.
Brazil pushed for a way back, throwing bodies forward as Vinícius Júnior, Endrick and Casemiro tried to rescue the game.
But Norway refused to break.
Deep into stoppage time, Schjelderup again found Haaland, this time near the edge of the box. The striker took his chance with brutal calm, firing into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.
Neymar later pulled one back from the penalty spot, but it was too late to save Brazil.
The goal only reduced the damage.
Haaland’s brace sealed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and sent Norway into the quarter-finals, while Brazil’s World Cup ended in disbelief.
