Norway stun Brazil 2-1 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Brazil's campaign in the 2026 World Cup ended in a stunning 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, marking their earliest exit since 1990. The match, held at MetLife Stadium, was decided by two late goals from Norway's Erling Haaland, who now shares the tournament's top scorer title with Lionel Messi.

A pivotal and highly debated moment occurred in the 13th minute when Brazil was awarded a penalty. The responsibility was taken by Bruno Guimarães instead of the team's usual penalty taker, Vinícius Júnior. Guimarães's shot was saved by Norway's goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, a decision that ignited significant discussion among Brazilian fans and pundits about why Vinícius Júnior did not take the crucial kick.

Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty, Brazil managed to equalize late in the game with a second spot-kick converted by Neymar. However, Haaland's decisive goals in the final 11 minutes secured Norway's historic advancement to their first World Cup quarter-final.

This early exit continues a trend for Brazil, who have now been eliminated by European opposition for six consecutive tournaments. The team, managed by Carlo Ancelotti with the aim of ending a 24-year World Cup drought, faced a surprising defeat that has left many questioning the team's strategy and player decisions during the crucial match.