EAST RUTHERFORD: Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway into a first World Cup quarter-final with a stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil that condemned the five-time champions to their first elimination since 1990.
Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a sensational performance and saved a Bruno Guimaraes penalty in the first half before Haaland struck twice in the final 11 minutes to stun Brazil at MetLife Stadium.
Neymar scored a deep goal in stoppage time with Brazil’s second spot kick of the match.
Haaland’s brace moved him level with Lionel Messi on seven goals for the tournament as Norway booked a showdown against co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.
For Brazil, who signed Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year World Cup drought, it is the sixth consecutive tournament they have been eliminated by a European opponent.
The last time Brazil failed to reach at least the quarter-finals was 36 years ago, when they lost 1-0 to arch-rivals Argentina in the round of 16.
“It’s just a crazy day,” Haaland said. “This is one of the craziest days in Norwegian history.”
Gabriel Martinelli was rewarded for scoring the stoppage-time winner against Japan in the previous round, as the Arsenal winger replaced the injured Lucas Paqueta in Brazil’s only line-up change.
Norway were strengthened by the return of Julian Ryerson, with the Borussia Dortmund defender back fit after missing the last two matches with a thigh injury.
Patrick Berg thought he had given Norway the lead after three minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
After a difficult start, Brazil were awarded a penalty when Kristoffer Ajer collided with Matheus Cunha in the box.
The Brazilians were furious when referee Ismail Elfath initially rejected their appeals, but VAR intervened and the decision was overturned.
Guimaraes advanced, but Nyland guessed correctly, diving low to his left to push away the Newcastle midfielder’s tame penalty.
Nyland came to Norway’s rescue again, scoring a crucial touch on Martinelli’s low shot as it crossed goal, denying Guimaraes a simple strike.
When Martin Odegaard lost the ball at the edge of his own area, Nyland once again saved Norway by sticking out a leg to thwart Vinicius Junior.
Haaland had struggled to make a significant impact, but his strength created a glorious opening for Norway before half-time.
The striker caused problems for Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in the Brazilian defense before the ball broke kindly for Odegaard, whose effort was well saved by Alisson Becker.
Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken brought on Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup at the break to replace Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth, but it was the introduction of Endrick that almost immediately changed things.
Vinicius slipped Endrick through on goal with a delicious outside-footed pass, only for the teenager to move wide as Nyland came out to close him down.
Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil, making a fine save to recover Rayan’s fierce strike before producing another outstanding save to deny Guimaraes, although the offside flag rose.
Neymar’s 67th-minute arrival sparked huge roars from a largely pro-Brazil crowd.
But it was Norway that finally managed to break the deadlock, and through an inevitable source.
Schjelderup fired in a cross from the left and Haaland flew above Gabriel to power a header into the corner.
With Brazil desperate for an equalizer, an incredible fingertip save from a backpedaling Nyland prevented Ajer from slotting the ball into his own net.
Haaland gave Norway some breathing room by hammering home the corner from the edge of the area in the 90th minute.
It proved vital when Neymar converted a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time, preceded by an unseemly argument with goalkeeper Nyland following an elbow on Casemiro.
Neymar collapsed on the pitch in tears at the end, his career in a Brazil shirt seemingly over.
