The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered one of its most shocking early upsets, as European underdog Norway pulled off a sensational 2-1 victory over five-time tournament champions Brazil in Saturday night’s Round of 16 clash, eliminating the South American powerhouse before the quarter-final stage. Two late goals from Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland proved the difference for Norway, while a last-gasp penalty converted by Neymar deep into stoppage time came too late to force extra time for Brazil.
Going into the match, Brazil entered as heavy favorites, with widespread expectations that the Seleção would dominate the dangerous but untested Norwegian side and progress to the last eight as they have done in most major tournaments. Norway had turned in a solid, unspectacular campaign through the group stage, but few predicted they would overthrow one of the global game’s most decorated nations. The first half delivered end-to-end action, with clear chances falling to both sides, and Brazil went into the break level at 0-0 after squandering an early penalty opportunity.
Brazil started the match far below their expected level, which let Norway seize control of the tempo of play from the opening whistle. As early as the third minute, the Norwegians finished off a rapid counterattack, but the goal was ruled out for offside – a warning sign Brazil failed to heed. In the 12th minute, Kristoffer Ajer brought down Matheus Cunha in the penalty area. Referee Ismail Elfath of the United States initially waved away appeals, but after a VAR review, he awarded Brazil a spot kick. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães stepped up to take the crucial kick, but his effort from 12 yards was saved, leaving the match scoreless. Cunha missed another clear opening in the 24th minute, hesitating on the ball and wasting a promising break before he could get a shot or cross away.
After the hydration break, Brazil came close to opening the scoring after a neat one-two between Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo, but Norway’s goalkeeper reacted quickly to turn the shot away for a corner. In first-half stoppage time, Arsenal star Martin Ødegaard threatened, and Martinelli just missed connecting with a deep through ball in the final seconds of the half, sending the ball harmlessly over the goal line to keep the deadlock intact going into halftime.
Norway emerged from the locker room far the stronger side after the break, pushing Brazil back deep into their own half and pinned the favorites under sustained pressure. Looking to turn the tide of the match, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti introduced teenage sensation Endrick in the 57th minute. Just 60 seconds later, Vinícius Júnior played Endrick through on goal one-on-one with Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, but the young forward blazed his effort off target, wasting what would be one of Brazil’s best clear chances of the second half.
Norway went close to breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute, when Ajer found Haaland unmarked in the box with a wide cross, but the striker just missed getting a touch on the ball. Nine minutes later, another Norwegian attacking move forced Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker into a sharp save to push the effort away for a corner. In the 79th minute, Haaland made the breakthrough: he outjumped Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhães to meet a cross inside the six-yard box, powering a header past Alisson to put Norway up 1-0.
After falling behind, Brazil threw everything forward in a desperate search for an equalizer, and nearly forced an own goal from a Norwegian defender, but Nyland was alert to make a vital save to keep his side ahead. Haaland put the result seemingly beyond doubt in the 90th minute, firing a crisp low strike from outside the penalty area past Alisson to double Norway’s lead to 2-0.
In the final seconds of stoppage time, Brazil was awarded a second penalty after Casemiro was fouled in the box. Substitute Neymar converted the spot kick to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the final whistle blew immediately after the restart. Norway held on for the historic upset, booking their place in the World Cup quarter-finals and sending five-time champions Brazil crashing out of the tournament in the Round of 16.