Erling Haaland propels Norway to World Cup upset…
The Norwegians have been outnumbered — taking part in in a building crammed with an ocean of yellow and puddles of purple, taking part in against a nation home to more than 200 million more residents, taking part in an opponent that has received a report 5 World Cups and had made eight consecutive quarterfinal appearances on the game’s grandest stage.
But Norway had the person who makes something doable.
The Vikings will march on in their first World Cup look in 28 years after Erling Haaland’s Eightieth-minute header, and Ninetieth-minute blast, delivered his homeland its best victory ever, sending the Norwegians to their first World Cup quarterfinal after pulling off a 2-1 upset of Brazil on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates after scoring a aim during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, on July 05, 2026. Anadolu via Getty Images
Haaland, who now has seven objectives in 4 video games in the World Cup, is even with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
After a weeks-long odyssey in which Norwegians have invaded a number of cities and offered one of the most pleasant and defining photographs of this World Cup — via imaginary oars, infectious chants and thumping drums — the “Viking Row” vessel will next head to Miami to face the winner of England-Mexico on July 11, while Brazil will head home after its earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.
Norway, coming off its first knockout stage win against Ivory Coast, had failed to qualify for the earlier six World Cups — as effectively as all but one World Cup from 1930 to 1990 — but surprisingly entered as the only nation that Brazil had never defeated in a earlier matchup in worldwide play, including a gorgeous upset in the group stage in 1998.
Stefan Jeremiah for New York Post
Norway has received the hearts of tens of millions — growing its fanbase during takeovers of Times Square, Citi Field and the ‘7’ prepare — and entered with confidence, having received each of its three World Cup matches that includes its common starters (who have been rested against France in the group-stage finale).
Norway had an obvious aim by Peter Berg in the third minute wiped away by offsides, but Brazil adopted by fumbling an even higher alternative in the 14th minute, when Matheus Cunha was taken down by Kristoffer Ajer in the box.
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Bruno Guimaraes, chosen to take the penalty kick, delivered a poor strike after taking himself out of rhythm with a stutter step, permitting Orjan Nyland to make a diving save.Brazil had seemingly numerous alternatives to silence the ever-optimistic pockets of purple, making an attempt to generate momentum with each row of their invisible and potent ship.
But the recollections of Ronaldo and Rivaldo and Romario carried completely no weight — or maybe an excessive amount of weight — during a number of key sequences, including when Vinicius Jr. threaded a lovely cross between two defenders, only for 19-year-old Endrick to push a breakaway broad of the web in the second half.
Brazil’s Neymar and Raphinha look dejected after the match as Brazil are eradicated from the World Cup. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN
Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland (1) celebrates blocking a penalty kick against Brazil during first half World Cup motion at NY,NJ Stadium, Sunday, July 5, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Haaland, 25, was invisible for a lot of the match — recording the fewest touches of any starter — but the 6-foot-5 drive from Manchester City (who scored twice against Senegal at MetLife Stadium) ascended in the most important second of his profession, breaking a scoreless tie.
His second aim prompted numerous Brazilian followers to go away early, leaving a star-studded crowd — that includes Jalen Brunson, Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Breanna Stewart — speechless.
Neymar cut the deficit in half with a penalty kick in stoppage time, but the growing older, injury-prone Brazilian demigod turned substitute couldn’t flip back time or add more time to the working clock.
This was Haaland’s time.
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