Brazil’s Hexa Dream Ends as Norway Make History with Haaland

Carlo Ancelotti's tactical masterclass helped Brazil overcome Japan in the Round of 32, but it proved ineffective against a Norway side they had failed to beat in their previous four meetings. The five-time world champions suffered another defeat, crashing out of the FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16.
Norway secured a historic 2-1 victory at MetLife Stadium in New York to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, bringing Brazil's quest for a sixth world title to an abrupt end.
The result also echoed history. Norway had famously beaten Brazil 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup, and 28 years later they repeated the scoreline in even more dramatic fashion, this time eliminating the Seleção from the tournament.
The match remained goalless until the second half, when Erling Haaland took centre stage. The prolific striker broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, heading home a cross from Andreas Schjelderup from the left flank.
Haaland then sealed the victory in the final minute of regulation time with a powerful low drive, completing his brace and sending Norway into the last eight.
Brazil paid the price for a wasteful performance in front of goal. The South Americans squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half after a VAR review showed Kristoffer Ajer had fouled Matheus Cunha inside the penalty area. However, Bruno Guimarães failed to convert the resulting spot-kick.
Brazil were awarded another penalty deep into stoppage time, with Neymar finally finding the net from the spot. But the goal came too late to spark a comeback, as the five-time champions bowed out of the tournament in disappointing fashion.

MMR