Norway Shock Brazil 2-1 And Reach First-Ever World Cup Quarterfinals
Haaland double ends Brazil’s 36-year last-eight streak at MetLife Stadium
Norway have made history. Erling Haaland’s brace sent Brazil crashing out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 Round of 16 defeat at MetLife Stadium, sending the Vikings into their first ever World Cup quarterfinal.
It started fast. Norway thought they had the opener in the 3rd minute through Patrick Berg, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Brazil responded and were handed a lifeline when Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box. After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty — but Bruno Guimarães saw his spot-kick saved.
The breakthrough came in the 79th minute. Andreas Schjelderup delivered a beautiful cross from the left, and Haaland rose highest to power a header into the back of the net. Norway doubled the lead in the 90th minute when Schjelderup found Haaland just outside the box. The striker’s first-time shot caught Alisson off guard and nestled in.
Brazil pulled one back deep into stoppage time through a 97th-minute penalty converted by Neymar, but it was too late. The Samba Boys were out.
History rewritten in New Jersey
This result breaks multiple streaks.
- Norway reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history, with Haaland named Man of the Match.
- Brazil are out before the last eight for the first time since 1990, ending a run of 8 straight quarterfinal appearances.
- With just 35% possession, Brazil recorded their lowest ever possession in a World Cup match since records began in 1966. No previous Brazil side had dropped below 40%.
- Norway remain the only country out of 91 that Brazil have never beaten.
- Brazil also became the first team in World Cup history to suffer seven straight knockout eliminations to European opposition:
1️⃣ 🇫🇷 France 2006
2️⃣ 🇳🇱 Netherlands 2010
3️⃣ 🇩🇪 Germany 2014
4️⃣ 🇳🇱 Netherlands 2014 — 3rd place playoff
5️⃣ 🇧🇪 Belgium 2018
6️⃣ 🇭🇷 Croatia 2022
🆕 🇳🇴 Norway 2026
36 years of dominance. Ended in the Round of 16.
Reactions after the match
Erling Haaland:
“I have peaked a few times during this tournament, but every time there is a new peak. If I receive one or two chances, they usually end up in a goal. I don’t really know what I do, this is just the way I am. It’s all about staying focused, and when the chance comes, I know exactly what to do.”
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil coach:
“I think we are all extremely sad, because I see that the team has delivered not an exceptional World Cup but a good one. I also think that in today’s match we deserved to win. When you go through a moment like this, you have to think that the loss is the beginning of a new adventure, and a new season. We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas. This loss is NOT the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.”
On penalties: “Why Vinicius Jr did not take the penalty? We did some stats and the best was Raphinha. From the players available, the best was Neymar, then Igor Jesus, then Bruno Guimarães, then Martinelli. We chose Bruno because we thought he was the best on the pitch.”
Ancelotti confirmed he will not leave the Brazilian NT.
For Norway, this is more than an upset. It’s validation. For Brazil, it’s the end of an era.
Football is ruthless. And on this night in New Jersey, it belonged to the Vikings.