Haaland Unleashes Fury,…

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Brazil‘s quest for a sixth World Cup title ended disappointingly, thanks to the imposing presence of Erling Haaland on a humid Sunday in the Meadowlands.

The towering Norwegian made his mark twice in the second half, first scoring with a header after outmaneuvering Gabriel Magalhães, and then firing a low shot that Brazil keeper Alisson Becker could not stop, providing Stale Solbakken’s side with an insurmountable 2-0 lead. Although Neymar scored a penalty in stoppage time to reduce the scoreline to 2-1, it was too little, too late.

The first half could have shifted in different directions after Brazil’s Matheus Cunha won a penalty, but Norway‘s Ørjan Nyland denied Bruno Guimarães‘ weak shot from the spot.

Norway came out with intensity in the second half, thanks to two significant substitutions from Solbakken, who replaced Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa with Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb. In contrast, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s substitutions, including bringing on Endrick and Neymar, failed to shift the momentum.

With this victory, Haaland and Norway advance to face the winner of England vs. Mexico in Miami. For Brazil, this marks their earliest departure from the World Cup in 36 years. — Gabriele Marcotti

---

– World Cup 2026 bracket: Every team’s path to the final
– Becherano: Mexico fans outside England hotel woke me up, and probably Three Lions too
– Ogden: Postcards from the World Cup: Analyzing the U.S., Canada, and Mexico playing at home

---

Norway’s Strength: Haaland and Beyond

Haaland is truly a phenomenon.

Solbakken remarked after the striker’s decisive goal against Ivory Coast that he wouldn’t trade him for any other player globally. His two-goal performance against Brazil emphatically validated that sentiment.

While statistics often point out Haaland’s limited touches, it hardly matters. He had only 30 touches before stoppage time but finished with two goals, which is what counts most.

Haaland is an incredibly ruthless finisher, and with him in the lineup, Norway is a formidable contender. He now shares the Golden Boot lead with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, showcasing one of the tournament’s most exciting races for the Golden Boot.

While some expected Norway and Haaland to be eliminated by now, they have established themselves as serious contenders in the quarterfinals. Historically, Norway has won their last 17 matches when Haaland scores, making them a team no one wants to face. — Mark Ogden

Brazil’s Continual Struggles Against European Teams

Brazil’s pre-game discussions were heavily influenced by their winless against Norway, stretching back over four previous encounters. This latest 2-1 loss marks five matches without a victory. However, the broader concern is that this loss adds to Brazil’s troubling record against European teams in World Cups.

This defeat marks the sixth consecutive World Cup elimination for Brazil at the hands of European foes, a pattern that even the hiring of Ancelotti as coach could not change. Prior teams, such as Croatia (2022), Belgium (2018), Germany (2014), Netherlands (2010), and France (2006) have all been responsible for ending Brazil’s World Cup dreams since their last victory, which came against Germany in the 2002 final.

While losing to Norway is certainly disheartening for Brazil, it’s important to acknowledge that they were defeated by a superior team. Norway exhibited stronger organization, athleticism, and ball control throughout the match.

Brazil appeared lackluster, and significant introspection is needed to reclaim their former dominance. — Ogden

Ancelotti’s Tactical Oversights Proved Costly

There are extenuating circumstances, including the absence of key players like Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá, both of whom could have provided the quality Brazil needed to control the match, far beyond the ineffective 4-2-4 formation displayed.

Additionally, this Brazil squad lacks the depth of talent seen in previous tournaments, compelling Ancelotti to rely more on seasoned players like Danilo and Casemiro, choices that may not sit well with fans of Selecao.

Yet, the first half provided ample opportunity for Brazil to assert themselves, aside from the missed penalty. Nyland made vital saves against Vinícius Júnior, and Cunha was easily dispossessed by David Møller Wolfe. Though Norway is a strong team, they, like Brazil, feature a mix of superstars and role players who must share responsibility during high-stakes matches.

However, the key difference was Norway’s superior teamwork and tactical reading of the match. Solbakken’s significant halftime decision to substitute Sørloth (who scored 20 goals for Atletico Madrid) and Nusa for Schjelderup (who had limited involvement at Benfica) and Bobb (who spent a substantial part of last season sidelined) paid dividends.

Schjelderup provided the crucial assists for Haaland’s two goals, while Bobb’s agility created space and width on the opposite flank. This shift allowed Norway to implement a natural 4-3-3 formation, providing better balance than what Sørloth’s positioning offered.

In contrast, Ancelotti’s late-game changes fell flat. The decision to introduce Endrick just before the hour mark might have seemed promising, yet he squandered his singular chance against Nyland immediately after entering and struggled to make an impact the rest of the match, finishing with merely one touch in the opposition box.

Bringing on Neymar shortly afterward appeared to be a concession to fans clamoring for his presence. While he converted the late penalty, his overall contribution was minimal, attempting three dribbles but failing to find significant impact.

Brazil’s decision to appoint Ancelotti, their first international coach, was a historical move, but scrutiny is inevitable following this defeat. The World Cup is unforgiving, and expectations for Brazil are higher than any other nation, a reality mirrored at the club level for Real Madrid. Hence, Ancelotti’s hiring was predicated upon his proven success on the grandest stages. Yet, following Sunday’s performance, a return seems unlikely. — Marcotti

Norway’s Strong Supporting Cast for Semifinal Success

Norway is a commendable team. While Haaland shines as their star player, the squad’s success is greatly bolstered by the strength of the supporting staff. Goalkeeper Nyland showed exceptional skill against Brazil, saving a penalty and executing several key stops, while the defensive line exhibited great organization.

But it was in midfield that Norway truly excelled, controlling 66% of possession against Brazil. The synergy between Patrick Berg and Sander Berge, combined with the creative passing from Martin Ødegaard, provides Norway with an ideal blend of grit and finesse.

Berg’s relentless energy was too much for Brazil’s fatigued midfield, notably Casemiro and Guimarães.

With either England or Mexico awaiting in the quarterfinals in Miami, Norway stands a solid chance of progressing to the semifinals, potentially advancing even further. Their strength across all positions makes them a team to watch out for. — Ogden

Brazil’s Penalty Taker Decision Proves Costly

Goals change matches, and there’s a hypothetical scenario where Brazil converts their penalty in the 10th minute and maintains their lead all the way to the quarterfinals. The decision to have Guimarães take the penalty, especially with other options like Cunha and Vinícius Júnior available, will be a point of contention.

Guimarães had a flawless penalty record prior to this match, having converted 3-for-3 during his time with Newcastle. However, the alternatives were arguably more seasoned. Cunha had hit seven of nine, although he hadn’t taken a penalty since 2024, while Vinicius had a wealth of experience with 19 attempts, with six misses, including two last season when he converted four.

This moment will remain significant for Guimarães, Brazil, and Ancelotti. It appeared Guimarães’ missed penalty impacted his confidence in the second half, evident when he chose to opt for a pass rather than take a shot from the edge of the area. — Marcotti