Haaland fires Norway into their first World Cup quarterfinal as Brazil exit and Neymar retires

Erling Haaland scored twice in the final ten minutes on Sunday to send Norway into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the country's history, eliminating five-time champions Brazil 2–1 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and triggering the international retirement of Neymar on the very ground where he made his debut 16 years ago.

Haaland headed in the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time, carrying Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2–1 victory over Brazil that showcased the towering striker on football's biggest stage.

Norway have appeared in the World Cup finals only four times, in 1938, 1994, 1998 and 2026, and are now advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. The return in 2026 ended a 28-year absence, the country's first appearance since 1998.

How Norway won it

Norway controlled early possession but failed to generate meaningful chances. Brazil almost took the lead when Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box in the 12th minute and a penalty was awarded after a VAR check, but goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland denied Bruno Guimarães' attempt.

Norway dominated possession — finishing with 66 percent — and their midfield combination of Patrick Berg and Sander Berge, allied to the passing and control of Martin Ødegaard, gave them the better of the midfield battle. Yet Brazil created the more dangerous first-half chances, with Vinicius Júnior twice denied by Nyland.

After being a non-factor for much of the afternoon and having limited touches, Haaland spoke with coach Ståle Solbakken at the second-half hydration break, who told him to drain his energy and go for it. Solbakken's wish was Haaland's command: he headed in the first goal of the match in the 79th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time.

Haaland got the right side of his head on the ball after a perfect setup by Andreas Schjelderup, who had entered at half-time. He then gave Norway breathing space by hammering low into the corner from the edge of the box in the 90th minute.

It proved vital when Neymar converted a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time, following an elbow on Casemiro. The only goal Nyland allowed was to Neymar on a penalty kick late in stoppage time, which changed only the final score. Nyland, who at 35 is his team's oldest player, was a huge factor in a historic victory.

Neymar bows out

An emotional Neymar said his career with Brazil had "finished" after his team's World Cup exit against Norway in the round of 16.

Sixteen years after making his debut with the Brazilian national team at MetLife Stadium, Neymar called it quits on his international career in the very same venue, standing in the shadow of New York City.

The 34-year-old scored a late consolation goal via a penalty as Brazil lost 2–1, marking their earliest World Cup exit since 1990. He will finish his international career as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals, three ahead of Pelé. His goal in stoppage time on Sunday made him just the second Brazilian man, alongside Pelé, to score in four World Cups.

Because of a nagging right calf injury, Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil's five games in the tournament — on the field for 15 minutes against Scotland in the group stage and coming off the bench in the 67th minute against Norway.

Brazil's record in ruins

Brazil's streak of quarterfinal appearances ended at eight, losing before that stage for the first time since 1990. It was Brazil's seventh consecutive loss to European opponents at the World Cup, dating to their title-winning victory over Germany in the 2002 final.

Brazil's defeat also extended one of football's more unusual head-to-head records: the five-time world champions have still never beaten Norway. Norway first defeated Brazil 4–2 in a 1997 friendly, before stunning them 2–1 in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup. The sides then drew 1–1 in a 2006 friendly, and their latest meeting again went Norway's way.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to the man who undid his side. "He doesn't waste energy chasing every ball or wrestling defenders for 90 minutes. He studies them, he waits, he understands exactly when a defender loses concentration. Then, in one second, he's gone," Ancelotti said.

Haaland and the Golden Boot

Haaland has moved level with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup, with all three on seven goals. England captain Harry Kane is the next best with six goals after his penalty helped his side edge co-hosts Mexico 3–2.

Haaland extended his scoring streak to 14 consecutive competitive matches internationally, with 27 goals in that stretch and 62 in 54 appearances for Norway overall.

Haaland was candid about the significance of the moment. "It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history," he said moments after leading Norway into the quarterfinals.

Norway move on to the quarterfinals and will face England, who beat Mexico 3–2, on Saturday 11 July in Miami. Under coach Ståle Solbakken, and led by the creativity of Martin Ødegaard and the goalscoring of Haaland, many now believe Norway's so-called golden generation could produce the country's finest tournament showing in North America.