The five-time World Cup champions are out. And one of the dark horses is moving on.
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Norway pulled off the upset vs. Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday as star striker Erling Haaland logged a brace in a 2-1 triumph.
Brazil entered the game as decent favorites due to their respective quality advantage, though Haaland and star midfielder Martin Odegaard helped even the edge.
But Norway came out with more intent in the opening 10 minutes, with an offsides goal setting the tone. However, an early penalty call could’ve changed the tide the rest of the way.
Center-back Kristoffer Ajer took down Matheus Cunha in the box with a slide challenge for a clear spot kick. But it wasn’t Vinicius Jr. that stepped up. Instead, he passed it to midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Guimaraes’ stutter-step run up led to a save from Ørjan Nyland.
The next best chance came in the second half. Vini Jr. slipped in Endrick through on goal just moments after he entered the game. But Endrick’s touch let him down and resulted in a rushed shot that went wide.
Then came Haaland.
In the 79th minute, winger Andreas Schjelderup, who came on at halftime for Antonio Nusa, delivered a cross into the box. Haaland, doing what he does best at 6-foot-5, rose above Gabriel and headed home past Alisson.
Brazil seemed rattled from the moment and Neymar Jr., who was already on the pitch, struggled to make enough impact.
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After a deflection hit the post with Nyland getting a touch, Norway came back the other way and added a second.
Out of nowhere, a left-footed Haaland effort from just outside the box had too power to stop.
Brazil added a consolation goal in the final minutes, as late substitute Leo Ostigard elbowed Casemiro in the box while going for a header.
Neymar stepped up and scored the penalty in what is likely his final game in the World Cup.
Brazil ended the game with 2.73 expected goals across 14 shots, via data-tracking platform FotMob. Two penalties, usually worth above 0.7 each, helped add to the tally. Norway had 0.84 on nine shots.
Norway will now await the winner of Mexico vs. England, with the quarterfinal matchup taking place on Saturday, July 11 in Miami.
Haaland has seven goals to be tied atop the Golden Boot race with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe.
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