Erling Haaland continues historic scoring pace as Norway reach World Cup quarter-finals with victory over Brazil - 'It’s absolutely insane'

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Erling Haaland continued his record-breaking goalscoring pace on Sunday as the striker bagged a brace to book Norway's spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Brazil.

'It's my speciality to score goals' - Haaland

Video credit: SNTV

After a tense 78 minutes, Haaland produced the first moment of real quality, rising and planting a powerful header into the bottom corner past a despairing Alisson in goal.

And as the 90 minutes approached, the Manchester City forward blasted his second past the Brazilian goalkeeper, dispatching his low effort from outside the box with minimal fuss.

Neymar did score a penalty in the dying embers but it was too little too late for the Brazil as Norway reached the final eight at a World Cup for the first time.

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Haaland has been a big reason behind Norway's success in North America so far, with his two goals on Sunday taking him to seven for the tournament and tied with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.

His seven goals have come in four appearances at his debut World Cup, making him the first player to score as many as seven goals in his first four World Cup appearances since Gerd Muller in 1970, when the Germany scored eight, per Opta.

He has also scored in each of his last 14 competitive encounters for Norway, registering 27 goals in that span.

According to Opta, this is the first time at a World Cup where three players have scored seven-or-more goals in a single edition of the tournament.

Haaland appeared to be in tears after the final whistle, and struggled to put into words his emotions afterwards.

"That’s just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal. I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I do it, so it’s all about staying focused," he said, per the FIFA website. "I tell myself the chance will come, and then I usually know right away if I don’t score.

"I'm starting to realise now, I think, that it’s a gift from God that it goes in perfectly, perfectly right up against the post and stuff. So it’s crazy.

"We just kept pushing forward, but I hope that all the young people watching this interview - I hope that when you get a little older, you’ll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you’ll ever do in your entire life - it’s absolutely insane."

'Fuming with Gabriel'

For Brazil, it is another disappointing exit and means they have now lost their last seven knockout matches at the World Cup against European opposition.

The game started poorly when Bruno Guimaraes had his first-half penalty saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

And it did not get much better from there, with Haaland proving too physical for Gabriel for the opening goal.

Haaland and Gabriel have had a number of run-ins over recent years in the Premier League for City and Arsenal respectively.

And after the match, Gary Neville was critical of Gabriel's defensive work to try to deny Haaland.

"I'm fuming with Gabriel. He knows that centre-forward better than anybody," he said on ITV. "For him to stay five yards off him and go for a straight race on a header with Haaland, absolutely crazy from Gabriel.

"There's one man in the box. The advantage the defender has there is to just go and absolutely block his run, go and get tight to him. Haaland's the best at it, once he gets a run on you, you've got no chance. And it's a brilliant header."

Neville added: "I don't know how he didn't see him, he's 14

ft 2in, he's massive. And he's in a good position where he's side on just as the ball is crossed. You 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."

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