Norway produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Erling Haaland was the hero at MetLife Stadium, scoring twice in the closing stages to send Norway into the last eight and continue their remarkable tournament run.
After a cagey first half with few clear-cut chances, the breakthrough came in the 79th minute when Haaland powered home a header from a pinpoint cross to give Norway the lead.
The Manchester City striker scored again in the 90th minute, calmly finishing from outside the penalty area to double Norway’s lead and take his tournament tally to seven goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti tried to change the game by introducing Endrick and Neymar in the second half, but the changes failed to spark a comeback. Endrick missed a golden one-on-one chance before Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
Despite the late goal, Brazil could not mount a recovery as Norway held on for a famous victory.
The triumph sends Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time, surpassing their best performances at the 1938 and 1998 World Cups.
They will now face the winner of the Round of 16 clash between England and Mexico.
The victory also preserved Norway’s unbeaten record against Brazil. Across five meetings, the Scandinavians have three wins and two draws, making them the only national team Brazil have never defeated.
For Norway, it is arguably the greatest result in the nation’s football history. Playing in their first World Cup in 28 years, they have defeated Ivory Coast and Brazil to announce themselves as genuine contenders, with a talented generation led by Haaland and Martin Ødegaard finally delivering on the biggest stage.
For Brazil, the defeat extends a worrying trend. It marks the fifth time in their last six World Cups they have been eliminated by the first European opponent they faced in the knockout rounds, despite appointing Ancelotti to end that run.
Norway’s fairytale journey continues, with the Scandinavian nation now just one win away from a historic place in the World Cup semi-finals.
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