EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — In a thrilling match on Sunday, Norway achieved a historic milestone by defeating Brazil 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The game, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, showcased Erling Haaland’s exceptional talent as he scored the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute and added another before the final whistle.
Haaland, who had limited touches for much of the game, turned on the pressure when it mattered most. After receiving a pinpoint assist from Andreas Schjelderup, who came on at halftime, Haaland headed in his sixth World Cup goal. He celebrated with Schjelderup, who assisted on the striker’s seventh goal, a tally that ties him with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé for the tournament’s top scorer.
The towering striker extended his remarkable streak by scoring in his 14th consecutive competitive match for Norway, bringing his international goal tally to 62 in just 54 appearances. Haaland’s formidable presence on the field was a crucial component of Norway’s success, especially considering the team had not advanced to the quarterfinals since their last World Cup appearance in 1998.
On the defensive end, Norway’s goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was instrumental in the team’s victory. The 35-year-old made a key stop after diving to his left to save a penalty kick from Bruno Guimarães in the 14th minute. Nyland also cleverly deflected a late shot from Endrick, allowing Norway to hold onto their one-goal lead until stoppage time, when Neymar scored the only goal for Brazil via a penalty kick, changing the final score to 2-1.
This match marks one of the most significant victories in Norwegian soccer history, especially on the men’s side. While Norway's women’s team won the World Cup in 1995, this recent success has brought renewed hopes for the men, who have struggled in international competitions over the years.
Norway will face the winner of the Mexico-England round-of-16 game on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. For Brazil, this loss is particularly disappointing as it marks the first time since 1990 that they have failed to reach the quarterfinals, ending a remarkable streak of eight consecutive appearances in that stage. The match also highlighted Brazil's continuing struggles against European teams, with this defeat representing their seventh consecutive loss to such opponents at the World Cup since defeating Germany in the final in 2002.
The decision to allow Guimarães to take the pivotal penalty kick instead of star Vinícius Júnior has ignited discussions regarding Brazil's game strategy, particularly after Guimarães became the first Brazilian player since Zico in 1986 to miss a penalty in a World Cup match. Despite some good individual performances, including with Gabriel Martinelli showing flashes of his speed, Brazil's entire lineup ultimately fell short of their expected performance.
Meanwhile, Norway entered the match with a strong lineup, regaining defender Julian Ryerson from injury. Coach Ståle Solbakken's tactical adjustments, particularly the substitution of Schjelderup at halftime, proved vital as both goals were assisted by him, displaying Norway’s evolution as a competitive soccer nation.
The stadium atmosphere was electric, with supporters dressed in yellow for Brazil far outnumbering those clad in Norway’s red. Fans were emphatic in their encouragement of the “Viking Row,” a celebration that resonated through the stadium before fading to a stunned silence after the final whistle. Additionally, celebrities such as rapper Jay-Z, comedian Chris Rock, and actress Sofía Vergara shared the stands, creating a celebratory environment that remained unforgettable amid Norway's historic win.
