Norway beats Brazil 2:1 and reaches World Cup quarterfinals for the first time

Haaland decides with two late goals

Norway had been the more passive side for long stretches. Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian coach of the Seleção, had luck as early as the 3rd minute when a goal by Patrick Berg was ruled out for offside involving Alexander Sörloth. In the 10th minute, Kristoffer Ajer fouled Matheus Cunha in the box; referee Ismail Elfath (USA) pointed to the penalty spot after video review. Bruno Guimarães stepped up weakly, and the clubless Norwegian goalkeeper Örjan Nyland, 35 years old and previously under contract with Sevilla and RB Leipzig, made the save.

Nyland, who is without a club after his contract with the Spanish top-flight side expired, became the hero of the evening. The former Bundesliga professional also defused big chances from Vinicius Júnior (40th), Gabriel (62nd), and in the 85th minute nearly prevented an own goal by Kristoffer Ajer, acrobatically tipping his wayward clearance onto the post. In first-half stoppage time (45th+3), Alisson Becker made a strong save on a shot from captain Martin Ödegaard from 16 meters.

Nyland becomes Brazil's nightmare

After the break, Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken surprisingly made two substitutions: Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup came on for Sörloth and Antonio Nusa. The Scandinavians, who had lined up in a 4-2-3-1, now looked more aggressive. Brazil brought on Endrick for Matheus Cunha in the 58th minute, but the 19-year-old, used by Ancelotti only as a substitute up to that point, lofted the ball over Nyland and the bar in the 59th minute when clean through on goal. Shortly after, the Norwegian keeper also saved against Gabriel.

In the 67th minute, Ancelotti reacted again, bringing on Neymar and Danilo for Rayan and Gabriel Martinelli. Neymar, 34, started on the bench; Raphinha had returned to the starting lineup after a two-week injury layoff. A tactical switch to a more attacking formation hardly produced any clear chances for the South Americans. Haaland, until then "practically invisible" as the German Press Agency noted, coolly converted his only two real efforts on goal.

Ancelotti brings on Neymar and Endrick – to no avail

Andreas Schjelderup, who set up both of Haaland's goals, was the decisive assist provider. For the nearly two-meter-tall center forward, the goals against Brazil were his third brace of the tournament; the Norwegian captain now has 62 goals in 54 internationals. "Es gab schon einige Höhepunkte in diesem Turnier von mir, das war heute ein weiterer Höhepunkt", said Haaland in the interview: "Wenn ich ein oder zwei Chancen habe, dann treffe ich meistens. Das ist einfach das, was ich mache."

Standing alongside him was Nyland, the best goalkeeper of the evening. The Norwegian, whose contract at Sevilla has expired and who is currently without a club and searching for a team, had already saved Guimarães' penalty in the 14th minute, laying the foundation for the historic win. Guimarães thus became the first Brazilian since Zico in 1986 to miss a penalty in World Cup competition.

Neymar's consolation goal, a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time, came too late for Brazil. It was Neymar's 80th goal in the Seleção shirt, and his last – "Nun ist es vorbei. Es hat hier begonnen, es hört hier auf", said the 34-year-old, who stood on the pitch in tears after the final whistle.

Brazil thus fails for the sixth consecutive time at a World Cup against a European side. Since winning the title in 2002 in that legendary final against Germany, the South Americans have not won a knockout match against a European opponent. "Es ist das schlechteste Abschneiden eines brasilianischen Teams seit 1990", the agency noted. It is also the Seleção's earliest World Cup exit in 36 years.

Sixth straight European defeat: the Seleção in ruins

Carlo Ancelotti, hired before this tournament as the first foreign coach of the Brazilian national team ever, now faces a sporting reckoning. The Italian had made several attacking changes before kickoff, including bringing on Neymar and Endrick, but the picture did not change decisively. Vinicius Júnior, goalless this time, shot only at Nyland from close range in the 40th minute. Another of his shots in the 59th minute after a pass from substitute Endrick went wide of the goal.

The Norwegians, meanwhile, are celebrating a historic achievement. For the first time in history, a Norwegian national team has reached a World Cup quarterfinal. Solbakken's side has now survived two knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time. In the quarterfinal on Saturday, July 11, Norway will face either co-host Mexico or England in Miami. Among those watching in the stadium were the Norwegian royals Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.

Historic evening for Norway and Solbakken

The refereeing performance, meanwhile, was viewed critically by Patrick Ittrich, a former Bundesliga referee and now an expert at MagentaTV. The VAR had not shown Elfath "ein vorangegangenes Foul an Norwegens Antonio Nusa", Ittrich said: "Ich finde, dass die Entscheidungsqualität der Schiedsrichter auf dem Platz nachlässt." Elfath called on video review several times during the heated closing stages.

For Norway, a new chapter now begins. The team around Haaland, who has scored 27 goals in his last 14 internationals, has written history with the victory over Brazil – statistics: five games, three wins, two draws, never defeated. Coach Solbakken spoke of a "echten Thriller, es hätte in beide Richtungen gehen können" and praised: "Wir haben einen überragenden Stürmer, der zwei fantastische Tore gemacht hat."

VAR and referee under fire

Haaland himself looked homeward with a mixture of humility and pride: "Wir haben immer weiter nach vorne gespielt. Und ich hoffe, dass alle jungen Menschen, die dieses Interview sehen, eines Tages erkennen werden: Für Norwegen zu spielen, ist das Größte und Erfüllendste, was man als Fußballer erleben kann. Es macht einen unglaublich stolz." Brazil heads home, while Norway travels to Miami over the weekend.