Five-time champions Brazil are out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a clinical second-half display from Norway saw the Scandinavian side claim a famous 2-1 victory in their Round of 16 clash at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
The result sends Norway into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, where they will face the winner of the England versus Mexico Round of 16 encounter.
Brazil dominated possession for long spells and created the better chances in the opening half, but they were repeatedly denied by an inspired Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. The Selecao were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty before halftime, only for Bruno Guimarães to see his effort brilliantly saved by Nyland.
Norway grew in confidence after the break and eventually made the breakthrough in the 79th minute. Captain Martin Ødegaard produced an inch-perfect cross into the box, where Erling Haaland rose highest to power a header past Alisson for a 1-0 lead.
The Manchester City striker struck again in the 90th minute, latching onto another well-worked move before firing a powerful left-footed effort beyond the Brazilian goalkeeper to double Norway’s advantage and seemingly put the contest beyond doubt.
Brazil managed to pull one back deep into stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty in the 90+10th minute, but there was simply not enough time left to complete a comeback as the final whistle confirmed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
The defeat marks another disappointing World Cup campaign for Brazil, who were chasing a record-extending sixth world title. Instead, they bow out before the quarter-finals, while Norway continue their dream run led by the red-hot Haaland, whose brace took his tournament tally to seven goals.
Brazil remain the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, having won the trophy five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002). Norway, meanwhile, had never progressed beyond the Round of 16 before this remarkable achievement, making this their greatest-ever World Cup performance.