<_erling haaland's brace sent norway to the world cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history, with the man city striker scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over brazil on saturday.
the 23-year-old forward broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a powerful header past gabriel and alisson, then sealed the win with a stunning long-range strike in the closing stages. neymar scored a late penalty for brazil but it was haaland's heroics that secured norway's progression to the last eight.
haaland's goals take him to seven at the world cup, level with lionel messi and kylian mbappe in the race for the golden boot. the norwegian forward has now scored in 14 consecutive international matches, extending his remarkable form for his country.
brazil, who were eliminated in the round of 16, struggled throughout the match and missed several good chances. bruno guimaraes had a penalty saved earlier in the game while substitute endrick failed to convert a promising opportunity.
norway will await the result of england's match against mexico to discover their quarter-final opponent but haaland's exceptional performance has put them in contention for a deep run in the tournament.
Haaland won his battle with Gabriel emphatically
hailed as one of the standout performers of the tournament, haaland delivered a masterclass that left brazil’s defence grasping at shadows. his precision and power proved too much for the five-time world cup winners, who now face questions over their future direction.
the match’s key moments included a series of missed opportunities from brazil, with vinicious junior twice denied by norway goalkeeper orjan nyland and substitute endrick firing wide when through on goal. despite neymar’s late consolation, the outcome was never in doubt after haaland’s decisive double.
Haaland rises above Gabriel to head in the first goal
Haaland fires home his second goal for Norway
Haaland led Norway’s ‘Viking Row’ after the game
…and neymar’s emotional farewell
Neymar was emotional after what might prove his final World Cup game
Neymar had to be consoled by team-mates
Neymar’s penalty came too late for Brazil
haaland’s historic performance
spoken on itv, sky sports pundit gary neville said: “haaland spooked gabriel. maybe.
“sometimes you say with these players that they’ve never done it on the world stage. that argument has been removed with haaland. i’m delighted for him. he’s a big personality.
Haaland reacts after doubling his goal tally against brazil
“i’m fuming with gabriel from a personal point of view. he knows that forward better than anyone: for him to stay five yards off him and go for a straight race on a header, it’s crazy from gabriel.
“block his run, get tight to him. but he’s the best at that haaland. once he runs at you and gets a run on you, you’re dead.”
the numbers don’t lie
- haaland has now scored in his last 14 competitive international matches for norway, netting 27 goals across this run.
- he last failed to score in a competitive match for his nation in october 2024 against austria in the uefa nations league.
- haaland is the first norway player to score two goals in a knockout match in a major international tournament.
- haaland has now scored 62 times in 54 appearances for norway
