Erling Haaland’s stunning double eliminated Brazil in a stunning World Cup last 16 upset in New Jersey.
The Man City striker bundled home with 10 minutes to go after beating Arsenal rival Gabriel Magalhaes in the air, bringing up his 61st international goal. And a 62nd strike for his nation came late on with a thudding hit zipping past Alisson Becker to secure a first-ever quarter-final berth.
Norway started brightly and thought they had broken the deadlock early in New Jersey through Patrick Berg’s fine finish, but Alexander Sorloth was offside in the build-up, handing the Selecao a reprieve.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were then handed a penalty after a VAR review, with Kristoffer Ajer hauling down Matheus Cunha. But Orjan Nyland denied Bruno Guimaraes to keep the match goalless. But just as the game looked to be heading towards extra-time, Haaland jumped highest to plant a header past Alisson. And even though Neymar pulled one back after 100 minutes with a penalty after Ostigard elbowed Casemiro, this tie was about Haaland and his latest extraordinary World Cup impact.
Waiting for Norway could be England, who face Mexico in the last-16 at the Estadio Azteca. Follow all the latest reaction from Brazil vs Mexico in our live blog below:
Read MoreIs Brazil vs Norway on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch World Cup fixture
World Cup injury tracker: Declan Rice, Raphinha and Nico Williams updates
Brazil vs Norway LIVE
- Brazil heading for World Cup last-16 exit after Haaland double for Norway | Live on ITV1
- Winner could face England in quarter-final if they beat Mexico later tonight
- 90+10' GOAL! Neymar converts penalty after Ostigard elbow on Casemiro [BRA 1-2 NOR]
- 90' GOAL! Haaland thumps home second to inspire stunning upset [BRA 0-2 NOR]
- 80' GOAL! Haaland breaks deadlock for Norway [BRA 0-1 NOR]
- 14' Saved! Nyland denies Guimaraes from the spot with fine stop [BRA 0-0 NOR]
- 3' Offside! Berg's delightful finish won't stand due with Sorloth offside in the build-up [BRA 0-0 NOR]
- Brazil XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinho, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Rayan, Vinicius; Cunha, Martinelli
- Norway XI: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Nusa, Berge, Berg, Odegaard; Sorloth, Haaland
Golden boot contenders compared
00:25 , Alan SmithLionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and now Erling Haaland.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 5, 2026
All three players sit on seven goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - what a race for the Golden Boot. pic.twitter.com/TFnQHyfGtd
Incredible and yet deserved
00:10 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyFor Norway, the United States is turning into the Haaland of opportunity. The country of five million people have powered into a World Cup quarter-final. The most decorated national team in history were cast out of the competition, Brazil’s dream of a sixth World Cup ended by Erling Haaland’s sixth and seventh goals of this tournament. A thousand years after Vikings set sail for the Americas, Brazil were subject to Norse rule in New Jersey.
It ended with Haaland banging the drum – quite literally – as the Norway players rowed in harmony with their supporters. Forget flying to Miami, they could get there on longships. The MetLife, which had seemed full of Brazil supporters, ended echoing to the sound of A-ha’s “Take Me On”.
Brazil failed to take them down. This was incredible and yet deserved. Out of keeping with football history, and yet in line with these countries’ meetings. A shock and yet, based on the game, no shock at all. Brazil have lost to Norway in a World Cup before, in 1998, but they still reached the final.
Unstoppable Erling Haaland drums out Brazil as Norway write new World Cup history
Trump's influence
23:50 , Lawrence OstlereDonald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino to ask for US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban to be reviewed – before the ban was controversially suspended.
Balogun was sent off during USA’s last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, when he appeared to accidentally make contact with defender Tarik Muharemovic.
On Sunday, Fifa’s disciplinary committee announced that it was applying article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code to suspend the red card, meaning Balogun will only serve his one-game ban if he commits another similar offence in the next 12 months.
.jpg?trim=25,0,25,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Donald Trump asked Gianni Infantino for USA’s World Cup red card to be revoked
Up next
23:35 , Alan SmithNorway now await the winners of Mexico vs England.
The Three Lions have just arrived at the Azteca and the rain is failing heavily.
Join all the build-up for that one right here
Mexico v England LIVE: Team news as lightning threatens to delay World Cup clash
Game in data
23:30 , Alan SmithBrazil 1-2 Norway
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 5, 2026
Brazil exit the World Cup, while Norway make the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Erling Haaland is once again the main man, scoring both of Norway's goals. He's now scored in 14 successive games for his country. Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/S78jMKLXid
Neymar's tears
23:22 , Alan SmithNeymar is in tears at full time as Brazil exit the World Cup 😢🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ePKz9vsAsQ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 5, 2026
The greatest of golden boot races
23:16 , Alan Smith1 - This is the first time in World Cup history that three different players have scored 7+ goals in a single edition of the tournament
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 5, 2026
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé: 7 goals
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi: 7 goals
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland: 7 goals
Legendary. pic.twitter.com/gc0ssTJVmU
Neville on Gabriel continued
23:14 , Alan Smith"I don't know how he didn't see him, he's 14 ft 2in, he's massive, he's side on, just as the ball is crossed, make contact, we've all done. As prepared as he will be, as well as he knows him. Brazil haven't been right all tournament, you can't turn it on like a tap. These defenders have to sprint up to him."
Gabriel to blame?
23:14 , Alan SmithGary Neville, on ITV, lays plenty of blame on the Arsenal defender for Haaland’s first.
"Gabriel, maybe [spooked by Haaland], he's a massive character and personality, some say about players, they never did it on the world stage, but that's been removed.
“I'm fuming with Gabriel. he knows him better than anyone, to go for a straight race, it's crazy, the one man in the box, the advantage is to block his run, but Haaland is the best at that, once he jumps, you're dead."
Brazil's fading aura
23:10 , Alan SmithIt’s also the first time they have failed to reach the last eight since 1990.
This is now Brazil's longest ever drought since they first won the World Cup in 1958, as it will stretch to 28 years.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 5, 2026
One semi-final in 24 years, too.
A run of QF, QF, last 16 also their worst ever.
The row goes on
23:05 , Richard Jolly in New JerseySensational. No sixth World Cup for Brazil. Norway can row to Miami for a quarter-final.
FULL-TIME! Brazil 1-2 Norway
23:04 , Alan Smith... and that’s the end.
Norway are into the last eight, Brazil are heading home.
For both it is a deserving outcome.
Brazil 1-2 Norway.
23:04 , Alan Smith102’ - The game restarts but our whistleman says he has not blown so they must restart again.
When the match does get going again Casemiro sends a hopeful and hopeless cross forward that Nyland grabs,..
GOAL! Brazil 1-2 Norway (Neymar, 100)
23:02 , Alan SmithNeymar stutters but then slots home and has some words for Nyland. It’s his first Brazil goal since 2023 but won’t do anything to alter the ultimate outcome of this one.
PENALTY! Brazil 0-2 Norway
23:01 , Alan Smith98’- Ostigard is judged to have elbowed Casemiro and the referee points to the spot. It’s not intentional, it’s probably not a foul. Again, this has been a dire refereeing performance. This should be the last kick.
While we wait for it to be taken, Nyland and Endrick are having a row.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:59 , Alan Smith97’ - Players from both teams are pushing and shoving each other, while Vinicius has a big go at one of the assistants.
It’ll all settle down and the final whistle can’t be far away.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:58 , Alan Smith96’ - Neymar is booked for a frustrated kick at Odegaard. The Norway captain celebrates as if he has scored.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:57 , Alan Smith94’ - Ajer is replaced by Ostigard for the final moments.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:56 , Alan Smith93’ - Brazil a sorry mess now, passing it around incoherently while knowing their tournament is over. They have been impotent here. They have been for most of the tournament really.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:54 , Alan Smith91’ - There will be seven added minutes.
Haaland is now up to seven goals for the tournament - tied with Mbappe and Messi.
Brazil 0-2 Norway
22:53 , Alan Smith90’ - Schlederup assists again, a simple pass infield to Haaland about two yards outside the box. He takes one touch with his right, shifts it on to his left and then drills a sweet effort low into Alisson’s bottom right corner.
GOAL! Brazil 0-2 Norway (Haaland, 90)
22:52 , Alan SmithWhat a hit. Norway are going through, Brazil are deservedly going home.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:51 , Alan Smith89’ - Vinicius wants a corner after Aursnes challenges him. It’s a goal kick.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:51 , Alan Smith88’ - Odegaard wins a corner via Santos. With the exception of that Ajer deflection and Casemiro’s wasted cross, they are dealing with this situation quite well.
The set piece is taken short and they will seek to keep ball for as long as possible. With Brazil’s total absence of pace in midfield, it should not be the most onerous task.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:48 , Alan Smith85’ - Nyland rescues Norway again! This one is a remarkable retreating leap after a wild deflection from Ajer looks to be creeping in.
Then Casemiro overhits a cross that Neymar is begging to tap in.
The Norway keeper is now down with an apparent injury.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:45 , Alan Smith83’ - And Neymar’s second delivery is cleared.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:45 , Alan Smith82’ - Vinicius, who has been unable to impact things in the box, wins a corner. Neymar’s cross is headed out for another by Ajer.
Exit door ajar from disappointing Brazil
22:44 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyAstonishing. Brazil on the brink of the exit. And yet deserved, after the way they have played.
Brazil 0-1 Norway
22:43 , Alan Smith80’ - Schjelderup tees Haaland up with a fine right-footed delivery from the left. Haaland spots his opportunity to get in front of Gabriel and the Manchester City man times his leap perfectly, guiding the ball past Alisson, who has no chance.
GOAL! Brazil 0-1 Norway (Haaland, 80)
22:41 , Alan SmithThe big man heads in to break the deadlock!
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:41 , Alan Smith79’ - Ederson replaces Guimaraes.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:40 , Alan Smith78’ - Norway have completed 503 passes compared to Brazil’s 230. And they are beginning to place a bit more urgency on those passes in the past couple of minutes.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:38 , Alan Smith76’ - Schjelderup is denied by a fine Alisson stop at the end of a counter in which Odegaard and Haaland were keenly involved.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:35 , Alan Smith72’ - Gabriel has just bounced off Haaland when trying to challenge him on the edge of Brazil’s box. Irrespective the move breaks down following slack control from Norway’s striker.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:33 , Alan Smith71’ - We’re back underway.
Neymar's time to make difference
22:32 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyOn comes Neymar. Brazil have looked short of inspiration today and perhaps he was brought to the World Cup for scenarios like this.
Haaland finds cool
22:31 , Alan SmithDuring the break Haaland has put an ice towel around his neck and is standing in front of what appears to be an industrial-sized air conditioning unit.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:30 , Alan Smith68’ - Here comes Neymar (and Danilo Santos)! Martinelli and Rayan are off.
The game restarts for approximately four seconds before the referee signals for the commercial break. Again, he’s struggling here, way out of his depth.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:29 , Alan Smith67’ - Schjelderup fires a deep cross towards Haaland but a combo of Alisson and Gabriel get in the way, conceding a corner that Brazil initially clear. But Norway come back at them and Ajer (yes) crosses with the outside of his right boot towards Haaland. He stretches and stretches but cannot stretch enough as a big chance goes amiss.
Nyland continues the theme
22:28 , Richard Jolly in New JerseySo far, it has been a terrific performance by Orjan Nyland and quite a World Cup for veteran journeyman goalkeepers. Vozinha is the most obvious case in point but little in Nyland's club career suggested he would be this good against Brazil in a World Cup.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:26 , Alan Smith64’ - Ryerson, who has been battling a hamstring injury, is replaced by Aursnes.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:24 , Alan Smith62’ - Nyland punches the corner away. Brazil come back on the attack and Rayan’s low shot is parried away by the Norway goalkeeper.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:23 , Alan Smith61’ - Endrick now takes a wild shot from range. It’s deflected for a corner.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:22 , Alan Smith59’ - Endrick’s first act is to ... miss a glorious chance. Vinicius sets him free with a defence-splitting pass but, with only Nyland to beat, his poke towards goal trickles wide.
He had plenty of time and space to round the goalkeeper. And you wonder if he had been on the pitch a few more minutes the outcome would have been different.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:21 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyOn comes Endrick, who made such a difference against Japan. Off goes Matheus Cunha, who led a couple of fine breaks, won a penalty but never actually came close to scoring.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:20 , Alan Smith58’ - Endrick is coming on for Brazil, his appearance greeted by the fans with huge cheers. Cunha makes way.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:18 , Alan Smith56’ - On ITV Lee Dixon says: “I think I could play at this pace.”
No elaboration is required.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:17 , Alan Smith54’ - Vinicius runs at Ajer and the ball deflects out for what the referee initially says is a goal kick but is clearly a corner. The official is saved again by his support system. He is not having a good day out there.
When the corner is taken Norway hook clear.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:16 , Alan Smith53’ - To say the second half so far has been uneventful would be an understatement.
Norway retain more of the ball but Brazil do look satisfied to wait and then counter.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:11 , Alan Smith49’ - Casemiro allows Berg past him in what is now predictable fashion but the Norway midfielder balloons a shot over.
Solbakken unhappy
22:10 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyInteresting that, after Norway had quite a good half against Brazil, they made a double change. Stale Solbakken clearly wasn't that happy and now they have two new wingers, in Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup.
Restarted! Brazil 0-0 Norway
22:07 , Alan Smith46’ - We’re playing again.
Two changes for Norway at the break: Sorloth and Nusa are off, Bobb and Schjelderup are coming on.
Bruno makes unwanted history
21:59 , Alan SmithBRA 🇧🇷 0-0 🇳🇴 NOR (14') - Nyland 🇳🇴 saves a penalty from Bruno Guimarães 🇧🇷.
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) July 5, 2026
Brazil hadn't missed a penalty at the World Cup (excluding shootouts) for 40 years (Zico 🇧🇷 vs France 🇫🇷 in 1986).
Only the 4th penalty Brazil have missed during a match in the tournament's entire…
Ancelotti may rue penalty decision
21:55 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyGood first half and quite an even one, too, with Norway going toe to toe with Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti's side may regret not having a penalty specialist in the starting 11, following Bruno Guimaraes' miss. Do wonder if Raphinha would have taken it if he had been fit to start.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:51 , Alan Smith51’ - Vinicius and Ajer come together. The Brazilian wants a free kick and the referee tells him to get up. That’s the last act of a first half that has threatened to explode but the lid just about remains on.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:50 , Alan Smith49’ - Casemiro plays a tasty pass over the top that Martinelli makes a dive towards but he is a whisker away from connecting and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:48 , Alan Smith48’ - Haaland and Gabriel meet again on the edge of the box and after they collide the ball breaks to Odegaard. But his shot is saved by Alisson when the Arsenal captain may have been expected to produce something a little more clinical.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:47 , Alan Smith47’ - It’s sent towards Sorloth but Brazil clear.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:46 , Alan Smith45’ - There will be six added minutes and early on in the bonus spell Norway win a corner. Odegaard will swing it in.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:46 , Alan Smith45’ - A lull which can be best described by the TV commentary turning to talk around how Newark has many Brazilian ex-pats rather than the game.
A couple of the Knicks and Jay-Z are among those watching on.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:43 , Alan Smith43’ - Odegaard has a shot from a tricky angle blocked by Danilo for a corner. Berg’s put-in cannot beat the first man.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:42 , Alan Smith42’ - Gabriel and Haaland have their first real duel and the former wins it by heading back to Alisson.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:41 , Alan Smith40’ - Another big save from Nyland. Vinicius steals the ball from Odegaard, plays a neat give and go and then shoots from a tight angle. Norway’s keeper saves with his right leg. The ensuing corner is cleared.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:40 , Alan Smith40’ - Casemiro has a pop from improbable range. It’s blocked.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:37 , Alan Smith37’ - Haaland gets involved. Nusa floats a diagonal pass towards him but the big forward, from a difficult angle, tries an audacious first time lob which is on target but simple for Alisson.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:35 , Alan Smith35’ - Odegaard, fed by Nusa, turns one way and then another in search of a shooting angle. When he finally finds one, the strike finds the side-netting.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:33 , Alan Smith33’ - Vinicius runs at Heggem with terrifying speed. He’s past the Norway defender but his touch is too heavy and it zips out for a goal kick.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:31 , Alan Smith30’ - And within a minute of the restart Vinicius sets Martinelli away on Brazil’s left. The Arsenal players fizzes a threatening ball across the face of goal beginning for Guimaraes to tap in but Nyland makes a vital intervention, getting just enough on the ball to divert it away to safety.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:30 , Alan Smith29’ - Back underway.
Nusa's speed
21:28 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyThis is my first time watching Antonio Nusa live. An immediate thought is to feel sympathy for any full-backs facing RB Leipzig, with him on one wing and Yan Diomande on the other.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:27 , Alan Smith26’ - Time for the commercial break.
It’s not been awful but it has also not exploded into life yet despite much sprinting.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:24 , Alan Smith24’ - Nusa accelerates in from the left at a ferocious rate but a moment of Norwegian excitement ends with Brazil countering again. Cunha takes it into the box but Wolfe is as quick as him and does well to dispossess with the Brazil forward ending up on the deck with no suggestion of a challenge worthy of penalty consideration.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:21 , Alan Smith21’ - At last signs of the game settling down a bit. Norway are on the ball again, building up patiently. Haaland, however, has not yet really gotten involved and is currently hanging out next to Marquinhos rather than Gabriel.
Referee has not started well
21:19 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyOne of the most blatant penalties you could see. After a day of preferential treatment towards Americans, it is worth noting an American referee was put on this game. He hasn't started well.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:18 , Alan Smith18’ - Odegaard is unable to make a pass and that enables Brazil to attack three against three. Vinicius crosses from the left but cannot find Cunha.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:17 , Alan Smith16’ - It’s all a bit frantic. A bit Premier League so far. Which is not the worst thing in the world - but it is hard to detect a clear pattern in how the game will develop.
SAVED! Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:14 , Alan Smith14’ - Guimaraes takes a big exhale of breath and stutters before striking right at Nyland. Another miss at the end of a hesitating run.
PENALTY GIVEN! Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:13 , Alan SmithThe officials got there after almost three minutes. Martinelli and Bruno Guimaraes had key roles in the build-up.
Vinicius has the ball under his arm but he has now handed it off to Guimaraes.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:11 , Alan Smith12’ - The referee is off to the monitor but this seems as clear and obvious as it gets.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:10 , Alan Smith10’ - Cunha is adamant he should have a penalty after Ajer slides in on him. VAR is checking and I think it will be given.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:09 , Alan Smith9’ - Brazil get control of it for the first time and Vinicius pulls out some early tricks to ease past Ajer. He runs out of space though and the ball runs out for a goal kick when he tries to make his way into the area.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:06 , Alan Smith6’ - Norway are well on top. Odegaard is too quick for Casemiro during a neat spell of possession. It is again worked out to Sorloth on the right and this time his cross is blocked for a corner.
Ancelotti opts for 4-4-2
21:05 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyWe were wondering how Brazil would line up. The answer appears to be 4-4-2 with Martinelli on the left and Vinicius up front with Cunha.
Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:04 , Alan Smith3’ - Norway counterattack and Berg has the ball in the net but the offside flag goes up! Odegaard leads the break and feeds Sorloth on the right but he is certainly off before centering the ball, with Berg finishing well.
That is an early warning sign for Brazil. And a mental boost for Norway if not quite the early goal they briefly thought was theirs.
Kick-off! Brazil 0-0 Norway
21:00 , Alan SmithAnd we’re underway in New Jersey.
Norway, in red tops, white shorts and dark socks, kick off and play right to left as we view.
Brazil are in their classic yellow, blue, white combo.
Weather watch
20:58 , Alan SmithIt looks an overcast, muggy day in New Jersey - but the temperature gauge is nowhere near the previous two days.
Dai, dai, ikou, dale, allez, let's go
20:53 , Alan SmithDai, dai is being blared out, which means we’re just four more songs away from kick-off!
The teams are making the long walk from the tunnel to the centre circle.
Solbakken: We can hurt Brazil if at our best
20:50 , Alan Smith“We've been on a very good run, we're full of confidence and we're comfortable in possession,” the Norway head coach said in his pre-match press conference. “On our day, we can hurt Brazil. We'll need to be at our absolute best. If not, we won't have a chance.”
Tonight's referee
20:46 , Alan SmithAmerican Ismail Elfath is in charge of this one, joined by Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins as assistants.
Costa Rica’s Juan Gabriel Calderon and Juan Carlos Mora are the fourth official and reserve assistant, while Nicaragua's Tatiana Guzman is on VAR duty.
One change each
20:39 , Alan SmithJulian Ryerson returns to right-back for Norway here having missed the Ivory Coast win owing to injury.
Gabriel Martinelli is rewarded with a start following his winner against Japan after Lucas Paqueta’s hamstring injury prompted Carlo Ancelotti to reshuffle Brazil’s line-up. It looks they might now go for a 4-2-3-1 with Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes holding.
That does mean a front four that could be devastatingly could but leaves concerns around gaps in midfield. Which all points to a fun and open game, right?
FIFA create fresh controversy with Balogun decision
20:32 , Kieran JacksonFolarin Balogun’s one-match suspension for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been wiped - meaning the USA forward is free to play against Belgium on Monday.
In an extraordinary development and a huge boost for the co-hosts, United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino will have his star striker available for the World Cup last-16 tie in Seattle after Fifa decided to “suspend” Balogun’s ban.
Balogun red card extraordinarily wiped by Fifa in huge World Cup boost for USA
How 'brand Brazil' lost its lustre
20:22 , Alan SmithBring the adverts up on YouTube now and what will strike first is how dated it looks. The production, the concept: it all belongs to a bygone era. From the airport to the dressing room, the Three Rs are very much not in 4k.
For fans of a specific age, Brazil and Nike’s series of promos still stir up reminders of a golden era For the Selecao, however, that last globally successful period of joga bonito is a peak that feels more and more difficult to reascend with each passing tournament.
How ‘brand Brazil’ lost its shine as World Cup’s defining team
Tonight's defining match-up?
20:16 , Alan SmithWho will be left feeling humble at full-time of this one?
How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted reality
20:10 , Alan SmithIt was a picture that left a thousand words unsaid. Had Casemiro, smiling widely with both hands on the trophy, been covered in Jude Bellingham’s honesty cloak, the post-match interview may have seen the Brazil midfielder explain why he did not deserve the gong.
He was neither the first nor last peculiar selection for the ‘Superior Player of the Match’ at this World Cup 2026 but the decision to place him on a pedestal after Monday’s anxious, unconvincing win against Japan was certainly the oddest.
By allowing public vote to decide player of the match awards, Fifa has again leaned into the cult of celebrity with predictable consequences
How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted football reality
Brazil eyeing first ever win against Norway
20:02 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyBrazil have won five World Cups but there is one thing they have never done: beat Norway. If they are going to win a sixth, they need to alter that statistic. Carlo Ancelotti rewards Gabriel Martinelli for his winner against Japan with a start while another Arsenal Gabriel, Magalhaes, renews his rivalry with Erling Haaland, scorer of five goals already at this World Cup. I'm looking forward to seeing the Norway fans row though so far the majority in the MetLife are in the yellow of Brazil.
Norway team news vs Brazil
19:51 , Jack RathbornAnd here is Norway’s line-up!
Norway XI: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Nusa, Berge, Berg, Odegaard; Sorloth, Erling Haaland.
Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) on X
Brazil team news vs Norway
19:36 , Jack RathbornOne change for Brazil, Ancelotti opts for Martinelli, instead of Neymar, with Paqueta sitting this one out.
It’ll be fascinating to see if the Arsenal forward plays close to Cunha, or in a wider berth, with Rayan and Vinicius Jr likely to hug the wings.
Brazil XI: Alisson ; Danilo, Marquinho, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Rayan, Vinicius; Cunha, Martinelli
BRASIL DEFINIDO! 🇧🇷
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) July 5, 2026
Confira os 11 nomes escalados pelo Mister para enfrentar a Noruega neste domingo (5), às 17h (Brasília), pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Mundo FIFA 2026.
📺 TV Globo / GE TV / Cazé TV / SBT / NSports#BateNoPeito
ISSO É BRASIL!! pic.twitter.com/aSYtaWccHi
Norway must not play the occasion, says Solbakken
19:30 , Will CastleNorway coach Stale Solbakken has urged his players not to get carried away with the occasion of a World Cup knockouts clash with Brazil in the hope of causing an upset.
"We need to play the match, not the circumstances,” said Solbakken. “We need to make sure that we don't play according to the occasion, but that we simply play the game.”
He added: "I don't think they are big, big, big favourites, which they maybe had been some years ago ... we have had a very good run for a very long time, and we have great confidence and we have a good style of play with the ball as well, and I think that helps us.
"I think it's difficult to put a precise percent (on our chances), if it's 60-40, or 70-30 or whatever - the important thing is that we can hurt Brazil on our day, but we still need to be our very, very best, otherwise we have no chance. But if we are on our very, very best, then we have a chance."
Ancelotti: No such thing as 'anti-Haaland' plan
19:15 , Will CastleBrazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says he is not about to set up an “anti Erling Haaland plan” when his side look to shackle the free-scoring Norwegian frontman tonight.
“I don’t think that there is such a thing as an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan,” Ancelotti said at a press conference. “I don’t need to tell my players how to defend, they have faced each other a few times.
“Our team is in an optimal condition. However, we need to continue improving.
“Everyone knows how he (Haaland) works. I have nothing to explain to my defenders how to play against him.
“They have obviously played against him several times, so we are only focused on being well prepared for the match, understanding the basic characteristics of the opponent and we know that they are very dangerous offensively.”
Haaland vs Vinicius: The battle for the golden boot
19:00 , Will CastleThe race for the golden boot at the World Cup is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage and while Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are going tit for tat at the top of the standings, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr are very much in the conversation.
Tonight could be pivotal in either man’s pursuit of that individual accolade, with a high-scoring performance sure to propel them into that leading pack.
Here’s how the standings currently look:
1. Kylian Mbappe (France), 7 goals, (2 assists)
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 7 goals
= 3. Erling Haaland (Norway), 5 goals
= 3. Harry Kane (England), 5 goals
5. Ousmane Dembele (France), 4 goals (2 assists)
= 6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 4 goals (1 assist)
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
