Key stats
- Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in this FIFA World Cup (two in this game), no player has more.
- Erling Haaland won all four of his aerial duels today against Brazil and has the best aerial duel success of any striker to contest more than 15 at the FIFA World Cup since 1966 (78 per cent, won 14/18).
- This is the first time in World Cup history that three different players have scored 7-plus goals in a single edition of the tournament (Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland).
Highlights
To come
Analysis
An even contest was ultimately settled by two decisive goals from match-winner Erling Haaland.
Match report
The Seleção continued their quest for a sixth star against a Norway team looking to break new ground at the finals after a lack of experience on football’s greatest stage.
Ståle Solbakken’s side began brightly here, and had a well-orchestrated goal ruled out for offside when Alexander Sørloth marginally mistimed his run before teeing up Patrick Berg to fire home.
It looked like that offside call would prove even more costly when Kristoffer Ajer was penalised for a challenge on Matheus Cunha in the box, as referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot following a VAR review.
However, Bruno Guimarães could not accept the gift from 12 yards, seeing his poor penalty comfortably parried to safety by Ørjan Nyland.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side upped the ante and could have easily broken the deadlock had Gabriel Martinelli not been denied by Nyland, following a surging run down the left, with Guimarães waiting to pounce in the six-yard box.
Norway were holding their own, though, as Martin Ødegaard fired into the side netting. But an error from the skipper almost gifted Brazil an opener, had Nyland not bailed him out of jail with a fine save to deny Vinícius Júnior.
Alisson Becker had largely been a spectator in comparison, but was called into action to keep out Ødegaard’s strike at the end of an intriguing first half.
The second half began in a sluggish manner, prompting Ancelotti to freshen up Brazil’s attack two minutes shy of the hour mark with the introduction of Endrick for Matheus Cunha.
The 19-year-old almost made an immediate impact when he latched onto Vinícius’ precise through ball, only to fire wide with just Nyland left to beat.
The Norwegian stopper was proving to be a formidable last line of defence for his side, keeping out Rayan’s effort moments later.
Norway were sensing an opportunity to deliver a sucker punch, with Haaland twice going close to connecting with Andreas Schjelderup’s and Ajer’s deliveries from deep inside the box.
Schjelderup was proving to be quite a handful since his introduction from the bench, forcing Alisson into a strong save at his near post.
Momentum was swinging in favour of the Scandinavians, and with 79 minutes played, Haaland broke the deadlock with a stunning header at the far post from Schjelderup’s cross.
Nyland continued his virtuoso display between the sticks, somehow scampering back in time to prevent an own goal, before Haaland took centre stage once again, effortlessly drilling a left-footed strike past Alisson in the most nonchalant fashion.
That goal humbled the five-time world champions, ultimately ending the game as a contest and moving Haaland level on seven goals with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
The Seleção were able to net a consolation deep in stoppage time, as Leo Østigård was penalised for an aerial challenge on Casemiro, allowing Neymar to convert from the penalty spot.
Solbakken’s team will now face the winners of the last-16 tie between Mexico and England in Miami next Saturday, continuing their remarkable record of never losing to Brazil in five H2Hs.
Meanwhile, the inquest will begin after a sobering match for Ancelotti’s side, having now lost each of their previous seven post-group stage WC games against European opposition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Erling Haaland (Norway)