Norway's 'monster Viking' Haaland sinks title favorite Brazil to reach historic quarterfinal

Perennial title favorite Brazil was stopped at the quarterfinal door by striker Erling Haaland on Sunday, as the 25-year-old led Norway to the last eight of the 2026 North America World Cup and thrust himself into a scorching Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi of Argentina and France's Kylian Mbappe.

Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in their round-of-16 match at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on Sunday (Korea time). Haaland was the architect of Brazil's downfall, heading in the opening goal in the 79th minute before adding a thunderous left-footed strike in the 90th to seal the win.

The young Viking awakened a fighting spirit Norway had not shown on the World Cup stage for nearly three decades. The victory sent Norway — back at the tournament for the first time since France 1998 — to their first-ever quarterfinal. It also extended their perfect record against Brazil in World Cup play to two wins from two, having beaten the Selecao 2-1 in the group stage at that same 1998 tournament. Norway will face the winner of the Mexico-England match in the quarterfinals.

Haaland's brace lifted him to seven goals in the tournament, level with Messi and Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts. Mbappe had earlier advanced France with a penalty winner in a 1-0 victory over Paraguay. Messi, who has played one fewer game, faces Egypt in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

Sunday's match offered a stark contrast between Haaland at the peak of his powers and a fading Neymar. Brazil superstar Neymar Junior came on as a substitute in the 67th minute and converted a penalty in stoppage time, but he was a shadow of his former self. Appearing at his fourth consecutive World Cup, his last dance ended quietly.

Haaland plays for Manchester City in the English Premier League, where he claimed the Golden Boot in the 2025-26 season with 27 goals and has scored 112 goals in 132 league appearances for the club. Already established as one of the world's best, he is making the most of his first World Cup.

"It was Erling Haaland, in the prime of his career, who decided Brazil's fate," the Guardian wrote after the match, adding that he "scored twice late on to eliminate Brazil and keep the Viking march going." Reuters noted that "Haaland's Norway eliminated Brazil," extending the South American giant's World Cup title drought — which has lasted since 2002 — to its longest stretch in tournament history.

Haaland appeared satisfied with his performance after the match. "I thought I had peaked a few times in this tournament, but then a new peak comes along," he said. "One or two chances usually lead to a goal. The key is concentration."

Haaland is part of a father-son World Cup legacy. His father, Alfie Haaland, represented Norway as a right back at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

The Norwegian squad has leaned into a Viking theme throughout the tournament, shooting a Viking-concept photo spread before it began and performing the Viking rowing ceremony on the pitch after each victory. Haaland leads the ritual, drumstick in hand, conducting his teammates and the crowd.

With the havoc Haaland has wreaked, the question of who will lift the trophy — and who will claim the Golden Boot — has never felt more open.