The Viking invasion of the World Cup has reached new heights: for the first time, Norway are in the quarter-finals, thanks to Erling Haaland's late double against Brazil. The 2-1 victory at the New York New Jersey Stadium in the last 16 sent the five-time champions home and kept the Nordic fairytale alive.
Norway had never progressed beyond the group stage before 2026, but they have now matched their best-ever performance and are one win away from a semi-final. The hero of the hour was Haaland, who scored his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament with two strikes in the final 10 minutes. The first came in the 79th minute when substitute Andreas Schjelderup crossed for Haaland to power a header past Alisson. Then, in added time, Schjelderup found Haaland on the edge of the box, and he slotted home low across goal. His celebration was a simple smile, while his teammates and the Norwegian fans behind the goal erupted.
“Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 2026, driven by Erling Haaland.”
This run is the culmination of a long-term project under manager Ståle Solbakken. Over the past half decade, he has built a team that can dominate possession and hurt opponents on the break. Norway started brightly against Brazil, with a goal disallowed in the third minute after Julian Ryerson was flagged offside. But they struggled to create clear chances until a double substitution at half-time changed the game. Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, had their own opportunities but failed to take them. Haaland, meanwhile, has now scored 30 goals in his last 17 competitive fixtures for his country, a remarkable streak that makes Norway a genuine threat.
For UK readers, Norway's run matters because England are likely to face them in the quarter-final. England beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in their last-16 match, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice. The Three Lions now prepare for a showdown with Haaland's Norway. England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered an injury during the Mexico celebrations, tripping over advertising hoardings, but the squad remains confident. The match will be a test of whether England's defence can contain one of the world's most lethal strikers.
Q: How did Norway beat Brazil? Norway scored two late goals from Erling Haaland. In the 79th minute, Andreas Schjelderup crossed for Haaland to head home, and in added time, Schjelderup set up Haaland for a low finish. Brazil had earlier had a goal disallowed and missed chances, allowing Norway to clinch a 2-1 victory.
Q: Why is this such a big deal for Norway? It is Norway's first ever appearance in a World Cup quarter-final. The team has been built over five years under Ståle Solbakken, with Erling Haaland as the talisman, and their progress marks a major breakthrough for Norwegian football on the global stage.
Q: Who will Norway play in the quarter-finals? Norway will face England, who defeated Mexico 3-2 in their last-16 match. The quarter-final will be a clash between Haaland's Norway and Bellingham's England, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
What happens next: The quarter-final date and venue are yet to be confirmed, but it will be a daunting test for Norway. England will be favourites, but with Haaland in this form, Norway have every chance of continuing their historic run.