Erling Haaland delivered a stunning late masterclass to fire Norway into the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, as the Manchester City striker struck twice in the final ten minutes to eliminate Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

The five-time world champions looked set for a hard-fought stalemate until Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, rising powerfully above Arsenal defender Gabriel to head past Alisson and silence the overwhelmingly pro-Brazil crowd.

The Norwegian striker was not finished. Minutes later, he unleashed a low, precise drive from long range that found the far corner, leaving Brazil stunned and Norway dreaming of their first-ever quarter-final in World Cup history.

Neymar's late cameo not enough

Brazil had an opportunity to level the contest earlier in the half when Bruno Guimaraes stepped up from the penalty spot, but Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a fine save to keep his side ahead.

Neymar, making only his second appearance of the tournament after coming on as a substitute, gave Brazil a lifeline when he converted a stoppage-time penalty to make it 2-1. However, the comeback arrived too late to threaten Norway's historic victory.

The result condemns Brazil to another painful early World Cup exit, extending what has become a troubling pattern for one of football's most decorated nations at recent tournaments.

Haaland joins Messi and Mbappé at the top

Haaland's brace takes his tally at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to seven goals, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot award.

Norway now advance to the quarter-finals — a stage the nation has never previously reached — where they will meet either England or Mexico. For a country with such a modest World Cup history, it represents an extraordinary achievement.