Erling Haaland stars as Norway stun Brazil to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Erling Haaland struck two late goals as Norway stunned Brazil by winning 2-1 in New Jersey to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Manchester City striker underlined his status as one of the world’s leading goalscorers by notching his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament in the final 11 minutes at the MetLife Stadium.

Neymar’s stoppage-time penalty was little consolation for five-time winners Brazil, for whom Bruno Guimaraes saw an early penalty saved, as they crashed out in the last 16.

Stale Solbakken’s side have progressed to the last eight for the first time in their first World Cup tournament in 28 years.

The Scandinavians, who had not lost to Brazil in four previous encounters and beat them 2-1 in the group stage at the 1998 World Cup, thought they had taken an early lead, but midfielder Patrick Berg’s effort was clearly offside.

Brazil then spurned a golden chance to open the scoring in the 14th minute when Guimaraes’s poor spot-kick was saved by Orjan Nyland after Kristoffer Ajer’s challenge on Matheus Cunha.

Moroccan-born American referee Ismail Elfath had initially waved play on, but correctly reversed his decision when asked to view the pitch-side monitor.

Nyland rescued Norway again by deflecting Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous cross as Brazil carried the greater attacking threat.

Vinicius Junior’s low shot was well saved by Nyland, while Norway’s best first-half chance fell to Martin Odegaard, whose low goal-bound shot was also well saved by Alisson Becker.

The pace slowed considerably in the second half as the temperature approached 30 degrees, with Brazil content to let Norway dominate possession.

Brazil substitute Endrick wasted a one-on-one chance after Vinicius Junior’s superb through-ball and