Brilliant Haaland double ends Brazil's Hexa dream

Highlights

• Norway upset Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
• Erling Haaland scores twice in the second half.
• Ørjan Nyland saves a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimarães.
• Norway will face either England or Mexico in the last eight.

Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 on Sunday (6 July) to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals and extend their remarkable unbeaten record against the South American giants.

Brazil, among the pre-tournament favourites, paid the price for failing to convert their chances, with goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland delivering a match-winning performance that included a first-half penalty save.

The Seleção thought they had survived an early scare when Patrick Berg's effort was ruled out for offside in the opening minutes, before gradually taking control of the contest. 

Their biggest opportunity arrived after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the penalty area, but Bruno Guimarães' spot-kick was comfortably pushed away by Nyland, leaving the Round of 16 clash goalless at the break.

Norway, however, grew stronger after halftime. Having frustrated Brazil with disciplined defending and intelligent ball retention, Ståle Solbakken's side struck decisively in the 79th minute. Haaland rose to meet the delivery and headed beyond Alisson to break the deadlock and send the Norwegian supporters into celebration.

Brazil pushed numbers forward in a desperate search for an equaliser, but the gamble backfired. In the 89th minute, Haaland raced onto another attacking move and calmly slotted home his second goal of the night, putting Norway 2-0 ahead and effectively ending Brazil's hopes of survival. 

The brace took the Manchester City striker to seven goals for the tournament, moving him level at the top of the Golden Boot race.

The five-time world champions were handed a lifeline deep into stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty in the 100th minute after a controversial decision, but the late goal proved no more than a consolation as Norway safely saw out the remaining seconds.

Brazil finished the match wondering how they had failed to progress after enjoying the lion's share of attacking opportunities. Vinícius Júnior was their liveliest outlet throughout, but Ancelotti's side lacked the cutting edge that has traditionally defined Brazilian teams on the biggest stage.

For Norway, the victory ranks among the greatest in the nation's football history. Built on defensive discipline, Nyland's heroics and Haaland's clinical finishing, the Scandinavians booked a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Mexico-England Round of 16 clash.