Dortmund, Germany — In one of the most stunning upsets in World Cup history, Erling Haaland powered Norway to a dramatic 2–1 victory over Brazil, sending the five-time champions crashing out of the tournament and propelling the Scandinavians into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998.
The Norwegian striker, who has been in imperious form throughout the tournament, scored both goals for his side — the first a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box in the 34th minute, and the second a coolly taken penalty in the 78th minute after he was brought down by Marquinhos inside the area.
Brazil, who had dominated possession for large stretches of the match, pulled one back through a stunning 89th-minute free-kick from Neymar, but it proved too little, too late as Norway held on through five tense minutes of stoppage time to seal a famous victory.
Haaland: "We believed from the start"
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, a jubilant Haaland said: We knew it would be tough, but we believed from the very first whistle. Brazil are an incredible team with so much quality, but we stuck to our plan, defended as a unit, and took our chances when they came.
The Manchester City forward now has five goals in four matches at this World Cup, putting him level with France's Kylian Mbappé at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard described the victory as the greatest night in Norwegian football history
, adding that the team's togetherness and discipline had been the key to overcoming the tournament favourites.
Brazil's World Cup heartbreak continues
For Brazil, the defeat extends a painful run of exits that has now seen them fail to reach the semi-finals since their 2002 triumph in Japan and South Korea. Coach Tite, who had been under pressure even before the tournament, cut a dejected figure on the sidelines as Haaland's second goal went in.
It's a very difficult moment for all of us,
Tite admitted in his post-match press conference. We created chances, we controlled the game for long periods, but we were not clinical enough in front of goal, and we paid the price against a team that defended with great courage and took their opportunities.
Brazilian fans inside the 72,000-capacity stadium were left in stunned silence as the final whistle blew, while the Norwegian contingent erupted in scenes of wild celebration.
What lies ahead for Norway
Norway will now face the winner of the match between Argentina and Denmark in the quarter-finals, scheduled to be played in Berlin on Saturday. With Haaland in this kind of form, few will bet against them causing another major shock.
Manager Ståle Solbakken, who has overseen a remarkable transformation in Norwegian football over the past five years, praised his players' resilience and tactical discipline:
We knew we had to be perfect defensively and take our chances when they came. Erling is world class — we all know that — but tonight was about the whole team. Every single player gave everything, and I'm so proud of each and every one of them.
Norway's run to the last eight is their best performance at a World Cup since 1998, when they reached the same stage before losing to Italy. This time, however, there is a genuine sense that something special is brewing in the Nordic camp.
