Norway beats Brazil 2-1 to reach World Cup quarter-finals as Brazil exits in round of 16

Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 round-of-16 match played in New Jersey. Erling Haaland scored both goals for Norway with a header in the 79th minute and a low drive from outside the box in the 90th minute. Norway advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in its history.

Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16 for the first time since 1990. Brazil took an early chance when Kristoffer Ajer fouled Matheus Cunha in the box. Bruno Guimarães had the resulting penalty saved by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland in the 15th minute.

Patrick Berg had a goal disallowed for offside in the fourth minute. Nyland also saved a shot from Vinícius Júnior. Endrick replaced Matheus Cunha in the 58th minute and missed a one-on-one chance on his first touch.

Neymar entered as a substitute in the 67th minute. Andreas Schjelderup provided the cross for Haaland's 79th-minute header. Alisson saved a shot from Schjelderup before that cross. Kristoffer Ajer delivered a cross in the 67th minute that Haaland nearly converted.

Neymar scored a consolation penalty for Brazil in the 96th minute after referee Ismail Elfath awarded a penalty for Leo Østigård elbowing Casemiro. Brazil finished with 33.5 percent possession and an expected goals total of 2.73 from 14 shots. Norway generated an expected goals total of 0.84.

Haaland moved to seven goals in the tournament, level with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. Norway will face the winner of England versus Mexico in the quarter-final on 11 July. This was the fifth meeting between Brazil and Norway; Norway has now won three and drawn two.

Brazil have not beaten a European team in a World Cup knockout match since defeating Germany in the 2002 final. Bruno Guimarães became the first Brazil player to miss a penalty in a World Cup match excluding shootouts since Zico in 1986. Carlo Ancelotti was appointed Brazil head coach in May 2025 and holds a contract until 2030.