Norway 2-1 Brazil - Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash

Erling Haaland scored his third brace of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With a resounding 2-1 win over Brazil, Norway have reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup. Courtesy of a spectacular brace from Erling Haaland, the Vikings have advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.

The match was full of drama and action as it started with Patrick Berg’s goal being disallowed. A few minutes later, Bruno Guimarães missed a penalty. After a neck-and-neck competition for more than an hour, Haaland scored a brace, making the scoreline 2-0.

Brazilian veteran Neymar Jr. scored a penalty to take one back, but that wasn’t enough to close the victory.

Also Read: Erling Haaland: List of all goals in FIFA World Cup history

On that note, let’s take a look at the five key takeaways from the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash:

5. Bruno Guimarães’s penalty

Bruno Guimarães’s penalty has the opportunity to change the momentum of the whole fixture. If he had managed to score, the Selecao could have immediately shifted into the driver’s seat, with the Vikings making efforts to regain possession, and soon they might be caught up in exhaustion.

However, nothing like that happened as he missed. The club’s current top goalscorer, Vinicius Jr., was expected to take the title, but it was eventually won by Guimarães, who has never won it in his career. That also reveals a crucial point in the Seleca lineup: that most of their stars do not have a positive record when it comes to converting from the spot.

4. Brazil missed Lucas Paquetá

Lucas Paquetá played as Brazil’s engine in the midfield. However, after picking up an injury in the first half against Japan in the round of 16, he was forced to miss the pre-quarterfinal game for the Selecao. The 27-year-old has played 236 minutes for the Brazilian side across four games, helping the side with creativity while also providing tactical depth. However, a gymnast Brazil, the same thing was missing.

3. Ørjan Nyland put up an act

Norwegian goalkeepers make a number of brilliant saves in the crucial game against Brazil; however, the one that will always remain with him was the penalty save of Bruno Guimarães.

Nyland’s performance in the first half was nothing short of spectacular, as he made two saves and five recoveries, apart from his exquisite penalty save. He made one more save in the second half while conceding one penalty in the second half, which was taken by Neymar Jr. (90+10′).

2. Getting Endrick at Matheus Cunha’s place

Except for the Selecao’s opening game against Morocco, Matheus Cunha has started all the other four matches for the five-time champions. He scored three goals in the group stage, but since then, his effect on the game has diminished. Thus, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to give Real Madrid attacker Endrick a chance in the second half in the knockout stage.

Against Japan, the 20-year-old failed to impress and had no shots on target. Meanwhile, against Norway, he missed a great opportunity just after coming off the bench. A couple of minutes later, he also took a shot that missed the target. In 15 minutes after coming to the pitch, he only had three touches. Thus, it’s fair to say that Brazil lacks a reliable center forward.

1. Erling Haaland, that’s all

Erling Haaland’s brace against Brazil made the Norwegian fans start the Viking row while the game was still going on. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who gave a brilliant performance for 80 minutes, was left bewildered with the two strikes made by the Manchester City attacker.

In the added time of the second half, the Brazilian side was left infuriated. It felt like they wanted the game to be forced into extra time; however, after Haaland scored twice, their plans were ruined.

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