Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history.
Norway started brightly and thought they had taken the lead inside three minutes when Patrick Berg found the top corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Brazil were then handed a golden opportunity to go ahead after VAR awarded a penalty for Kristoffer Ajer’s foul on Matheus Cunha. Referee Alejandro Hernandez reversed his initial decision following a review, but Bruno Guimaraes failed to capitalize as goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced an outstanding save to keep the scores level.
Both sides created chances before halftime. Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Junior tested Nyland, while Martin Odegaard forced Alisson Becker into a smart save after being set up by Haaland.
The second half remained evenly contested, with Brazil coming closest to breaking the deadlock when Vinicius released substitute Endrick through on goal. However, the teenager’s heavy touch allowed the chance to slip away.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Neymar with just over 20 minutes remaining in search of a breakthrough, but it was Norway who struck first.
In the 80th minute, Andreas Schjelderup delivered an inviting cross from the left, and Haaland powered a header past Alisson to score his sixth goal of the tournament.
As Brazil committed numbers forward in pursuit of an equaliser, Norway struck again in stoppage time. Schjelderup was again the provider, finding Haaland on the edge of the area, and the Manchester City striker calmly fired a low finish into the bottom corner to double the lead.
Brazil pulled one back deep into added time after Leo Ostigard was penalised for an elbow on Casemiro inside the box. Neymar converted the resulting penalty in the 100th minute, but there was little time left for a comeback.
The victory sends Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, while five-time champions Brazil exit the tournament earlier than expected despite arriving among the favourites.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
