Haaland double sends Norway past Brazil into World Cup quarter-finals

NEW YORK: Erling Haaland struck twice in the closing stages as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, while the five-time champions suffered their earliest exit from the tournament since 1990.

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland played a decisive role in the last-16 tie, saving a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes and making a series of important stops as Brazil pressed for long spells. Neymar scored deep into stoppage time from Brazil’s second penalty of the night, but it was not enough to prevent elimination.

Haaland’s two goals took him level with Lionel Messi on seven for the tournament. Norway will next face either co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.

For Brazil, who appointed Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year wait for World Cup glory, the defeat extended a run of six successive tournament eliminations against European opponents. It also marked the first time in 36 years that Brazil failed to reach at least the quarter-finals, after their 1-0 loss to Argentina in the last 16 in 1990.

Brazil denied early before Nyland saves penalty

Brazil made one change from the side that beat Japan in the previous round, with Gabriel Martinelli replacing the injured Lucas Paqueta after scoring the stoppage-time winner in that match. Norway were boosted by the return of Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, who had missed the previous two games with a thigh injury.

Patrick Berg thought he had put Norway ahead inside three minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up. Brazil then won a penalty after Kristoffer Ajer collided with Matheus Cunha in the area. Referee Ismail Elfath initially did not award the spot-kick, but changed the decision after a VAR review.

Guimaraes took the penalty, but Nyland dived low to his left to save. The Norway goalkeeper was called into action again soon after, getting a touch on Martinelli’s low ball across goal to stop Guimaraes from converting from close range. Nyland then stuck out a leg to deny Vinicius Junior after Martin Odegaard lost possession near his own box.

Haaland had little influence for much of the first half, but he created Norway’s best opening before the break with his physical play against Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos. The ball then fell for Odegaard, whose shot was saved by Alisson Becker.

Late Haaland goals settle the tie

Norway coach Stale Solbakken introduced Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup at half-time in place of Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth. Brazil responded by sending on Endrick, who was quickly played through by Vinicius with an outside-of-the-foot pass, only for the teenager to lift his effort wide as Nyland came out to narrow the angle.

Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil, saving from Rayan and later keeping out Guimaraes again, though the offside flag was raised on that occasion. Neymar came on in the 67th minute to loud support from a crowd largely backing Brazil.

It was Norway, however, who found the breakthrough in the 79th minute. Schjelderup delivered a cross from the left and Haaland rose above Gabriel to head the ball into the corner. As Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Nyland made another key intervention, tipping away a looping effort from Ajer that was heading toward Norway’s own net.

Haaland added a second in the 90th minute, driving a low shot into the corner from the edge of the box. That proved crucial when Neymar converted a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time after Casemiro was caught by an elbow. The spot-kick was preceded by a confrontation involving Neymar and Nyland, but Norway held on to complete a notable upset.