Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their second purpose with Andreas Schjelderup. — Reuters/FileÂ
EAST RUTHERFORD: Erling Haaland scored two late targets to ship Norway via to a primary World Cup quarter-final with a surprising 2-1 win over Brazil that condemned the five-time champions to their earliest exit since 1990.
Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a sensational show and saved a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes earlier than Haaland struck twice within the final 11 minutes to stun Brazil at MetLife Stadium.
Neymar pulled a purpose again deep into stoppage time with Brazil’s second spot-kick of the match.
Haaland’s brace took him degree with Lionel Messi on seven targets for the event as Norway booked a showdown towards both co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.
For Brazil, who employed Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to finish a 24-year World Cup drought, it’s the sixth straight event the place they’ve been knocked out by European opposition.
The final time Brazil failed to succeed in a minimum of the quarter-finals got here 36 years in the past, after they misplaced 1-0 to arch-rivals Argentina within the final 16.
“This is just an insane day,” stated Haaland. “It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history.”
Gabriel Martinelli was rewarded for scoring the stoppage-time winner towards Japan within the earlier spherical, because the Arsenal winger changed the injured Lucas Paqueta within the lone change to Brazil’s line-up.
Norway had been boosted by the return of Julian Ryerson, the Borussia Dortmund defender match once more after lacking the previous two video games with a thigh harm.
Patrick Berg thought he had given Norway the lead inside three minutes, however his effort was dominated out for offside within the build-up.
After a rocky begin, Brazil gained a penalty when Kristoffer Ajer clattered into Matheus Cunha within the field.
The Brazilians had been left livid as referee Ismail Elfath initially waved away their appeals, however VAR intervened and the choice was overturned.
Guimaraes stepped up, however Nyland guessed accurately, diving low to his left to push away the Newcastle midfielder’s tame penalty.
Nyland once more got here to Norway’s rescue, getting an important contact to Martinelli’s low drive because it flashed throughout purpose, denying Guimaraes a easy tap-in.
When Martin Odegaard misplaced possession on the sting of his personal field, Nyland as soon as extra saved Norway as he caught out a leg to thwart Vinicius Junior.
Haaland had struggled to make a big affect, however his energy created an excellent opening for Norway earlier than half-time.
The striker triggered issues for Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos within the Brazil defence earlier than the ball broke kindly for Odegaard, whose effort was nicely saved by Alisson Becker.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken introduced on Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup on the break for Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth, but it surely was the introduction of Endrick that nearly modified the sport instantly.
Vinicius slipped Endrick via on purpose with a pleasant outside-of-the-foot cross, just for {the teenager} to dink huge as Nyland got here out to shut him down.
Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil, producing a great save to claw away Rayan’s fierce strike earlier than making one other excellent cease to disclaim Guimaraes, though the offside flag went up.
The arrival of Neymar within the 67th minute drew large roars from the largely pro-Brazil crowd.
It was Norway who ultimately broke the impasse although, and it got here via an inevitable supply.
Schjelderup whipped in a cross from the left and Haaland soared above Gabriel to energy a header into the nook.
As Brazil desperately chased an equaliser, an unbelievable fingertip save from a backpedalling Nyland prevented Ajer from looping the ball into his personal web.
Haaland gave Norway respiration area as he hammered low into the nook from the sting of the field within the ninetieth minute.
It proved very important when Neymar transformed a penalty within the tenth minute of stoppage time, preceded by an unseemly spat with ‘keeper Nyland, following an elbow on Casemiro.
Neymar slumped to the turf in tears on the finish, his profession in a Brazil shirt seemingly over.
