Erling Haaland scored a stunning late double to knock Brazil out of the World Cup 2-1. Match report from the last 16 shocker: Haaland outduels Gabriel, Bruno Guimaraes misses a penalty, Neymar pulls one back, and Norway reach their first ever World Cup quarter final. Analysis, stats, and what this means for Brazil under Ancelotti.
The World Cup has its defining upset.
Erling Haaland delivered a masterclass in Miami, scoring a brilliant late double to dump the five time champions out at the last 16 stage and send Norway into uncharted territory.
For Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil, it's another early ezit and a night of what ifs. A missed penalty from Bruno Guimaraes. A sitter missed by Endrick. A late consolation from Neymar.
For Haaland and Norway, it's history. Their first ever World Cup quarter final, and a statement that the Golden Boot race is wide open.
Brazil dominate, but can't finish
On paper this should have been Brazil's night. Theybhad 68% possession. They had 18 shots. They had chances.
Bruno Guimaraes won an early penalty. He took a stuttered run up. Orjan Nyland read it perfectly and save.
Vinicius Jr was denied by another top save from Nyland. Endrick, fresh off the bench, poked a one on one wide. Even when Kristoffer Ajer nearly scored an own goal, Nyland clawed it out.
Brazil was wasteful. Noway were waiting.
Then came the moment. A cross swung in. Haaland vs Gabriel. His Arsenal teammate.
Haaland got the run, outjumped Gabriel, and powered a header pass Alisson. 1-0 Norway.
Gary Neville didn't hold back: "I'm fuming with Gabriel from a personal point of view… for him to stay five yards away from him and go for a straight race on a header, it's crazy. Block his run, get tight to him. But he's the best at that Haaland. Once he runs at you and gets a run on him, you're dead."
Seven minutes later, game over. Haaland picked the ball up 25 yards out, took one touch, and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner. No chance for Alisson. 2-1? No. 2-0. Pure striker's instinct.
Neymar, making only his second appearance of the tournament, won and converted a stoppage time penalty to make it 2-1. Too Late. Brazil's World Cup was already over.
Haaland the man for the biggest stage. The can he do it on the world stage? debate is officially dead.
2 goals to take him to 7 for the tournament. Level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
14 consecutive competitive internationals scored in for Norway. 27 goals in that run.
62 goals in 54 appearances for Norway overall.
First Norway player ever to score 2 goals in a major tournament knockout game.
He bullied Gabriel in the air, then showed finesse from distance. He was power, pace, and precision all at once.
Neville said, "Sometimes you say with these players that they've never done it on the the world stage, that argument has been removed with Haaland. I'm delighted for him. He's a big personality.
Brazil came in with hope under Ancelotti. They leave with familiar pain.
The Problem.
Finishing: 18 shots, 1 goal. A missed penalty and a missed one on one cost them.
Defending set pieces: Letting Haaland get a run on Gabriel is coaching 101. They didn't
Over reliance on moment: Neymar's penalty was too late. There was no plan B when plan A didn't work.
This is nkw back to back World Cup where Brazil have gone out before the quarter finals. For a nation that expects trophies, that's not good enough.
A nation that had never been past the group stage is now 90 minutes from a World Cup semi final.
Orjan Nyland was immense. 7 save, including the penalty and the near own goal.
Martin Odegaard pulled the strings in midfield. And Haaland? He's carrying a nation on his back.
Next up: England vs Norway. Norway believe they can beat anyone with #9 in this form.
This was the classic World Cup story. Dominate the ball, miss your chances, get punished by a World class finisher.
Brazil going home to regroup. Ancelotti has big question: who is the #9? How do we fix our mentality in knockout? And can this golden generation deliver before it's too late?
Brazil played the better football for 80 minutes.
Norway had the better player for 90 minutes.
And in knockout football, that's all that counts.
Erling Haaland didn't just score twice. He's ended Brazil's World Cup. He made history for Norway. And he announced himself as the player to beat for the Golden Boot.
The giants have fallen. The Vikings is coming.
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