Norway's quarter‑final berth hinges on Haaland's double

Norway's 2‑1 win over Brazil secured the country's first‑ever quarter‑final berth at the 2026 World Cup, confirming their progression in the tournament and setting up a clash with the winner of the Mexico‑England match. The match, played in East Rutherford, N.J., saw Norway dominate early possession and ultimately rely on Erling Haaland's two goals to clinch the result. Norway controlled the first ten minutes, holding possession but failing to create clear chances. Brazil came close to opening the scoring when Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box in the 12th minute, prompting a VAR review and a penalty, which Ørjan Nyland saved from Bruno Guimarães. Vinicius Jr. tested Ørjan Nyland again in the 41st minute, his shot heading for the near corner before being denied. Despite Norway enjoying over 65% possession in the first half, Brazil generated the higher expected‑goals tally, 1.06 to Norway's 0.35.

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The first major chance of the second half fell to Brazil when Vinicius Jr. threaded a through‑ball to substitute forward Endrick in the 59th minute. Endrick found himself one‑on‑one with the keeper but a poor touch sent the ball wide. Erling Haaland restored Norway's lead in the 79th minute with a header that put them ahead 1‑0. A few minutes later he struck again from outside the box, securing his brace and extending the lead to 2‑0.

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Neymar reduced the deficit seconds before full‑time, converting a penalty to make it 2‑1. The Brazilian side continued to press but could not find an equaliser before the final whistle. With the win, Norway moves on to the quarter‑finals and will meet the victor of the Mexico‑England match on Saturday, July 11, at 5 p.m. ET in Miami.