Haaland leads Norway towards history! Two shots are all it took to hand Brazil another disgrace

Norway have long been tipped as the dark horse of this World Cup, and tonight they proved exactly why. Their Round of 16 clash with Brazil promised plenty, and it certainly delivered. Who else but Erling Haaland could be Norway's hero? The prolific striker scored two superb goals to guide his country into a historic World Cup quarter-final.

Brazil did manage to pull one back through Neymar from the penalty spot in the closing minutes, reducing the deficit to 2-1, but by then the damage had already been done and another Brazilian disappointment was inevitable.

While Haaland stole the headlines, goalkeeper Nyland also deserves enormous credit. His first-half penalty save from Bruno Guimaraes, along with several other outstanding stops throughout the match, laid the foundation for one of the greatest victories in Norway's history.

Brazil and Norway headed into the break with the score still goalless, but the opening 45 minutes offered plenty of drama despite the lack of goals.

Norway thought they had made the perfect start after just three minutes when Patrick Berg finished off a slick move with a precise strike from just inside the box. However, the celebrations were cut short as VAR confirmed an offside earlier in the build-up, ruling the goal out.

Brazil were then handed a golden opportunity in the 10th minute. Matheus Cunha burst into the penalty area before being brought down by Ajer. Although the referee initially waved play on, a VAR review resulted in a penalty being awarded. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up from the spot, but Ørjan Nyland produced an outstanding save to keep the game level.

The match settled into a quieter rhythm after the missed penalty, with few chances until the half-hour mark. Martinelli produced a brilliant run down the left and looked set to pick out the unmarked Bruno Guimaraes in front of goal, but Nyland was once again alert, racing off his line to intercept the dangerous pass.

Norway responded with a couple of opportunities of their own. Odegaard fired narrowly wide after leading a swift counterattack in the 35th minute, while Erling Haaland tested Alisson for the first time two minutes later with an acrobatic effort that the Brazilian goalkeeper dealt with comfortably.

Brazil continued to threaten before the interval, and Vinícius came agonisingly close after stealing possession from Odegaard inside Norway's half. The Real Madrid star worked himself into a shooting position inside the area, but Nyland was once again equal to the task with another excellent save.

The final big chance of the half fell to Norway deep into stoppage time. Haaland flicked on a long goal kick into the path of Odegaard, sending his captain through one-on-one with Alisson, but the Brazilian goalkeeper stood tall and denied him with a crucial save.

After the break, Selecao came agonisingly close in the 59th minute through substitute Endrick, who had only been on the pitch for a minute. Vinicius produced a perfectly weighted through ball to send the youngster clear on goal, but a poor first touch allowed Nyland to close the angle, and Endrick's shot rolled just wide of the post.

Three minutes later, Brazil threatened again. Rayan tried his luck from distance with a powerful effort, only for Nyland to produce yet another superb save, reacting quickly to parry the ball back into play.

Norway almost struck on the counter in the 67th minute. Bobb released Heggem down the left, and with a clear sight of goal, the Norwegian opted to square the ball for Haaland instead. The pass was inviting, but the striker arrived a split second too late to turn it home.

The visitors continued to look dangerous, and in the 75th minute Patrick Berg tested Alisson with a well-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area. The Brazilian goalkeeper was equal to the task, making a strong save to keep the score level.

However, four minutes later Norway finally found the breakthrough. Andreas Schjelderup produced an excellent run before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, where Haaland completely overpowered Gabriel in the air and powered a header beyond Alisson to send the Norwegian fans into celebration and give the Europeans a priceless lead.

Brazil threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, and they came heartbreakingly close in the 85th minute. Kristoffer Ajer almost scored an own goal with a dreadful clearance that looped toward his own net, but Nyland somehow reacted in time, getting the slightest touch to divert the ball away from goal. It was another extraordinary save from the Norwegian goalkeeper, who capped off a magnificent individual performance and preserved his side's advantage.

Just when Brazil needed to pile on the pressure, Haaland struck again. The Manchester City forward picked up the ball around 18 metres from goal, noticed the space in front of him, and unleashed a brilliant strike beyond Alisson.

Brazil were handed a glimmer of hope when Ostigard brought Casemiro down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Neymar stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to make it 2-1, but it proved too little, too late to change the outcome of the match.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)

/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/

Sunday

France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)

/Mbappe 70 pen/

Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)

/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/

Monday

03.00: (3.25) Mexico (3.15) England (2.45)

22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)

Tuesday

03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***