World Cup: Norway stun Brazil with Haaland's brace and Nyland's saves
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Norway stunned Brazil with Erling Haaland scoring both goals in a sensational 2-1 win over Brazil. All the three goals came in the last 20 minutes, including the injury-time.
There were brief celebrations at either end inside the first ten minutes. Patrick Berg saw his goal cancelled for an offside before Matheus Cunha won a penalty-kick in the other box. Fellow ex-RB Leipzig player Orjan Nyland saved Bruno Guimarães’ effort to keep the game scoreless.
The rest of the half was uneventful. The five-time winners improved after the break once again as Nyland was called into action multiple times. The 35-year-old goalkeeper also did his best to close down Endrick in a one-on-one chance, with the early substitute eventually failing to hit the target.
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland had a couple of chances to be in the receiving end of cutbacks, but he uncharacteristically didn’t time his runs both times. However, he was never going to be denied his moment as he usual.
Haaland beat his familiar opponents Gabriel Maghales and Allison with a well-placed header from a pinpoint cross by Andreas Schjelderup, who replaced RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa in one of the two half-time changes by Ståle Solbakken. Brazil had ten minutes plus injury-time to respond, but Nyland had a memorable game in Norway's goal.
And the same combination sealed the victory for the national team making their first appearance since 1998. Haaland scored with a brilliant outside-the-box finish after receiving the ball from the Benfica winger in the 90th minute.
Former TSG Hoffenheim man Leo Ostigard conceded a penalty in the last meaningful action of the game, which Neymar converted despite Nyland's mind game. However, the goal by Brazil’s all-time top-scorer didn't stop the record winners from being knocked out by a team from Europe for the sixth time in a row.
Haaland tied Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the scoring chart with seven goals. The Manchester City superstar maintained his record of scoring in each of his first four World Cup games. Norway will face the winners of Mexico and England in their first-ever quarter-final.
