Haaland Brace Stuns Brazil as Norway Knocks Out Five-Time Champions in Round of 16 Thriller
Norway's shock 2-1 victory over Brazil sends them into the quarterfinals, while England also advances after a dramatic win against co-hosts Mexico.
The story
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 delivered a monumental upset on Sunday, July 5th, as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil with a 2-1 victory at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The highly anticipated clash saw Norway's talismanic striker Erling Haaland net a decisive brace, ending Brazil's quest for a record-extending sixth title.
Brazil's Vinicius Junior had initially put the Samba Kings ahead, but Haaland responded with two clinical finishes, including the winner in the second half, to silence the Brazilian faithful and send Norway into the quarterfinals for only the third time in their history. The dramatic encounter was a testament to Norway's resilient defense and Haaland's prolific scoring ability, marking one of the tournament's biggest shocks to date.
Yesterday's results
| Match | Score | Key |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil vs Norway | 1-2 | Erling Haaland's brace eliminates five-time champions Brazil. |
| Mexico vs England | 2-3 | Jude Bellingham (x2) and Harry Kane secure England's quarterfinal spot despite being reduced to 10 men. |
| Australia vs Turkey | 2-0 | Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe score for the Socceroos in Vancouver. |
| Germany vs Curacao | 7-1 | Germany delivers a dominant performance in a high-scoring affair. |
| Netherlands vs Japan | 2-2 | Japan comes back twice to secure a hard-fought draw. |
| Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | 1-0 | Amad Diallo scores a late winner for Ivory Coast. |
| Sweden vs Tunisia | 5-1 | Sweden records a strong victory with goals from Isak, Gyokeres, Ayari, and Svanberg. |
| Spain vs Cape Verde | 0-0 | Spain held to a frustrating goalless draw. |
| Egypt vs Belgium | 1-1 | Egypt secures a point in a competitive match. |
Where it stands
The Round of 16 is rapidly shaping the knockout bracket, with four teams now officially through to the quarterfinals. Norway’s stunning 2-1 upset over Brazil means they join Morocco, France, and England in the final eight.
This result eliminates five-time champions Brazil, along with Canada, Paraguay, and co-hosts Mexico from the tournament. The remaining Round of 16 fixtures will determine the rest of the quarterfinalists, with heavyweights like Spain, Argentina, and Portugal still in contention. The competition now moves closer to its decisive stages, promising more thrilling encounters.
Off the pitch
| Player | From | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandro Tonali | Newcastle United | Tottenham Hotspur | €108m |
| Anthony Gordon | Newcastle United | Barcelona | €80m |
| Geovany Quenda | Sporting CP | Chelsea | £44m |
What we'll be watching
- Portugal vs Spain (Round of 16) - Monday, July 6th at Dallas Stadium (3 p.m. ET)
- USA vs Belgium (Round of 16) - Monday, July 6th at Seattle Stadium (8 p.m. ET)
- Argentina vs Egypt (Round of 16) - Tuesday, July 7th (9 a.m. ET)
- Switzerland vs Colombia (Round of 16) - Tuesday, July 7th (1 p.m. ET)
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