Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 in New York New Jersey
Haaland scored his sixth and seven World Cup goals, assisted by Schjelderup
“Almost a gift from God” – the players were amazed by their achievement
In their day, the Vikings were among the finest seafarers on the planet, navigating some of the world’s most hostile waters aboard their drakkars and knarrs. On Sunday, in the Round of 16 of , Ståle Solbakken’s modern generation weathered several Brazilian storms to beat the Seleção by the odd goal in three.
Those players who had embraced their Viking heritage in a memorable photo-shoot before flying to North America may well have written the most famous chapter in the history of Norwegian football in reaching their first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
“I never imagined I’d experience something like this,” said Erling Haaland, hero of the hour yet again after adding two more goals to his . “I thought I’d achieved quite a lot in my life but this shows me anything is possible. It’s a strange feeling to realise we’ve knocked Brazil out.”
Back at the World Cup after a 28-year hiatus, the Norwegians arrived full of confidence following an impressive qualifying campaign. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw even dubbed them “the best European team at the moment”. Some greeted that comment with scepticism, yet Thiaw may have been on to something.
Against Brazil, five-time world champions and backed by the majority of the New York/New Jersey Stadium crowd, the Norwegians were never fazed. They stuck to the game plan and played with the self-assurance of a team with two defeats in their past 20 matches (W15 D3). In such a context, was this result really such a shock?
“With the team and the players we have, we knew it would be a close-fought match,” winger Andreas Schjelderup told FIFA. “Fortunately for us, we came out on top, and as far as I’m concerned it was well deserved. Of course, we must also pay tribute to Brazil who are an excellent team.”
Not that it was all plain sailing. Brazil would have opened the scoring but for the outstanding Orjan Nyland saving Bruno Guimarães’ spot kick. Vinícius Junior and substitute Endrick also failed to get the better of Norway’s goalkeeper, who later produced a brilliant fingertip stop to prevent a Kristoffer Ajer own goal.
Yet Solbakken’s band of Vikings kept winning the one-on-one duels and second balls, knowing they have in their ranks a unique match-winning talent. Despite Norway ending the game with 55% possession, Haaland managed just three attempts on target given the close attentions of Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and company. However, that was all it took for him to score the most important two goals of his now 62-goal national-team haul (including a remarkable 27 strikes in his last 14 competitive outings).
Each time, it was Schjelderup who provided the assist. “All you have to do is give the ball to Erling and he’ll score,” said the 22-year-old Benfica player. “We have the best striker in the world, so everything becomes easier. When you pass the ball to him, you know he’ll deliver. He’s a beast, a natural goalscorer. What he did was incredible. It was a superb header for the first goal.”
Haaland returned the praise, saying: “The cross was perfect. The second assist was too.” The Manchester City phenomenon described his second strike – which flew through Danilo’s legs and skimmed across the surface into the bottom corner of Alisson’s goal – as “almost a gift from God", adding: “It’s absolutely crazy.”
Already, 5 July 2026 is the greatest day in Norwegian football history, eclipsing the country’s 2-1 group-stage triumph over Brazil at France 1998. Having now followed up their first-ever knockout win – in the last 32 against Côte d’Ivoire – with this historic elimination of the South American giants, the Landslaget are into their first World Cup quarter-final.
“It’s incredible. I don’t think any of us fully realise yet how important this victory is for the whole country,” defender David Moller Wolfe told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “I can’t wait to get on the bus to watch the footage of what’s happening in Norway at the moment. It really is something very special to be part of this team.”
Like their great navigators of the past, the Norwegians did not necessarily take the easiest route in ousting the Seleção, even conceding a Neymar penalty deep in added time. However, they held firm and a Miami quarter-final against England awaits them on Saturday.
Sources: FIFA Official
