KANSAS CITY (The Thursday Times) — Norway eliminated five-time world champions Brazil from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory in the round of 16, in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Norway led 2-0 with goals in the 79th and 90th minutes before Brazil pulled one back in injury time. Norway dominated throughout, finishing with 66% possession against Brazil’s 34%, and advance to the quarter-finals.
Match stats
- Final score: Norway 2-1 Brazil
- Norway goals: 79th minute, 90th minute
- Brazil goal: 90th minute (injury time)
- Possession: Norway 66%, Brazil 34%
- Shots on target: Norway 5, Brazil 4
- Shots total: Norway 9, Brazil 12
- Yellow cards: Brazil 1, Norway 0
Norway were the better side for almost the entire match, controlling possession and limiting Brazil’s attacking threat despite Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha all starting in attack. Brazil, who entered the tournament as one of the pre-tournament favourites, mustered 12 total shots but only four on target, with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland comfortable for much of the game. Norway’s goals came late, the 79th and 90th minutes, in a match that Brazil had struggled to find the breakthrough in. A late Brazil consolation in injury time made the scoreline slightly more respectable but Norway’s superiority throughout was undeniable.
Norway’s starting lineup featured Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard alongside Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa in attack, with Sander Berge and Patrick Berg anchoring the midfield. Brazil responded with four substitutions across the match and a yellow card in the 90th minute as their frustration showed. Norway made four substitutions of their own as they managed the game in the closing stages.
The result is among the most stunning in recent World Cup history. Brazil have won the World Cup five times and are the most successful nation in the tournament’s history. Norway, appearing in their first World Cup since 1998, have now reached the quarter-finals at their first return to the tournament in 28 years. Their last World Cup appearance also featured a famous result, a 2-1 group stage victory over Brazil in France 1998, with Davor Suker’s Croatia and Ronaldo’s Brazil among the teams Norway faced that summer.∎
