WC26: Erling Haaland, Norway Stun Brazil To Reach Quarterfinals

Norway eliminated Brazil from the 2026 World Cup Sunday, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in a 2-1 round-of-16 victory at MetLife Stadium despite Brazil generating a 2.61 to 1.05 edge in expected goals. Haaland's decisive second goal carried an xG of just 0.039, underlining the improbable nature of Norway's triumph over Carlo Ancelotti's heavily favored side. The Manchester City striker now sits level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe atop the Golden Boot standings with seven goals apiece. Norway controlled roughly two-thirds of possession and recorded more shots on target than Brazil. The result extended their unbeaten run against the five-time world champions to five matches and delivered back-to-back knockout victories in their first World Cup since 1998. "Every game is different," said Haaland. "We needed one chance or another; it was important to wait for the opportunities and simply score when they came. "A header to make it 1-0. The 2-0 was incredible -- absolutely crazy. In Norway's history, this is the greatest game. We're proud to have secured these victories against Ivory Coast and Brazil." Coach Stale Solbakken was measured when asked how far this Norway side could go. "This is the greatest night in Norwegian football history," said Solbakken. "How far we can go, I don't know. We are in the last eight, so we will see." Norway advance to face the Mexico-England winner in the quarterfinals in Miami.