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The Vikings’ feud continues at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it’s superstar Erling Haaland who all Norwegians can thank for it after another masterful performance on Sunday against Brazil.
Norway advance to their first ever World Cup quarter-finals after Haaland scored twice in the 2-1 win over Brazil, who return home earlier than expected.
But this tournament proved that Haaland, no matter how many touches he takes with the ball, is like Thanos: he is inevitable.
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Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates with teammates Andreas Schjelderup and David Moller Wolfe after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Norway, who had prime chances throughout the match, as did Brazil, including an early penalty shot, found another in the box when a short cross fell in front of goal. The Brazilian defense lost track of Haaland for a split second, and that’s all the 6-foot-5 Norwegian needed to leap and head the ball, which slipped past goalkeeper Allison for the go-ahead goal.
It was the 79th minute of the match, and it felt like it was ultimately the deciding factor in a back-and-forth between these two countries.
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The two goalkeepers, including the Norwegian Ørjan Nyland, had a fantastic match. But Nyland’s save on a Bruno Guimarães penalty in the 14th minute changed the trajectory of this match.
Many wondered why Vini Jr., a superstar who had scored four World Cup goals before this match, handed the ball to Guimarães to take his first career penalty for Brazil. And they were justified in view of the result.
Brazil had other threats against Norway, including a dangerous cross from the boot of Gabriel Martinelli in the first half, but Nyland once again kept the door shut with a 0-0 draw.
David Moller Wolfe, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland of Norway celebrate the opening goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar)
Haaland’s breakthrough late in the second half transformed Norway into a defensive-minded team, while Brazil, who had replaced Neymar Jr. to the delight of the packed New Jersey crowd, desperately tried to restore the tie.
But leave it to Manchester City’s superstar striker to find an opening and exploit it.
Haaland sealed Norway’s victory by advancing the ball with his left foot just outside the Brazil box and firing a low shot down the right side past a sprawling Allison to make it 2-0 in the 90th minute. There was no pomp and circumstance on Haaland’s part, even as his teammates screamed and jumped on his back.
That’s what he does: score goals. He now has seven in this World Cup, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi as they vie for the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
Brazil earned another penalty shortly after Haaland’s second goal, which Neymar scored this time. After he and Nyland were seen struggling, Neymar buried the attempt, which ended up being a consolation goal. He and Nyland exchanged words again, but Norway was the only one elated when the whistle blew at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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This is Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years, and they’ve done more than just represent their country well. They beat a five-time champion in Brazil to keep their title hopes alive, and Haaland continues to play an important role in making that happen for his team.
Which is why there was no one else to lead that row of Vikings in the stands after the match, as Haaland happily banged the drum to orchestrate one of the best celebrations this tournament has ever seen during a fantastic World Cup.
