Erling Haaland. Photo: Getty Images
The match between the five-time world champions and Norway was the highlight of the latest round of playoff action. However, one of the favorites in world soccer failed to live up to its status and saw its title run come to an end in the round of 16.
The game got off to a rather intriguing start—the Norwegians scored a goal right at the beginning of the match, but it was disallowed for offside. Soon after, the five-time champions were awarded a penalty kick, but Bruno Guimarães’ shot was saved by Norway’s 35-year-old goalkeeper, Erjan Nyland.
After that, the Brazilians had more than one chance to open the scoring, but even a one-on-one opportunity for young forward Endrick didn’t result in a goal—he shot past the goalkeeper but missed the net.
It seemed as though the match was heading toward a scoreless draw and extra time. There were plenty of chances, but no goals.
And then Erling Haaland made his mark. In the 79th minute, he headed in a cross from the left flank to score the first goal, and 11 minutes later, right at the end of regulation time, he completed his brace. The forward received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent it into the net with a “pool-shot” that grazed the post.
Brazil managed to pull one back in the 10th minute of stoppage time, with the legendary Neymar, who had come on as a substitute, converting the penalty.
But it wasn’t enough. Brazil was eliminated, while Norway advances. With his two goals in this match, Erling Haaland tied the World Cup record for debutants, bringing his total to 7 goals. Previously, Poland’s Grzegorz Lato had achieved the same feat in 1974.
Haaland continues to score regularly in World Cup matches and remains one of the top contenders for the title of the tournament’s top scorer. With his two goals against Brazil, he caught up with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé in the scoring race. England’s Harry Kane currently has 6 goals to his credit.
France and England Remain in the Running for the Gold
Before the landmark match between Brazil and Norway, another highly dramatic game took place. France narrowly defeated Paraguay 1–0.
The French, one of the tournament’s top favorites, had numerous chances in a tough and rather “rough” game against the Paraguayans but managed to score only one goal—from a penalty kick. Kylian Mbappé confidently converted it.
Many experts noted the questionable decisions by the referee from Uzbekistan, who failed to respond to obvious rough play by the Paraguayan players and thereby contributed to the match turning into a “wrestling match.”
Nevertheless, the French national team continues to advance confidently through the tournament bracket.
Just like the English national team, which, late last night Moldovan time, managed to defeat one of the tournament hosts—the Mexican national team—in an extremely tough match. The match ended with a score of 3–2, with the English finishing the game a man down due to the ejection of defender Jarell Quans.
The tournament is rife with scandals
Incidentally, Quans’s foul is very similar to the one for which American player Folarin Balogun received a red card. Just yesterday, it was reported that following a conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the international federation decided to suspend the U.S. national team forward’s ban. This means he will be able to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium.
As a result, discontent is brewing in soccer circles, and criticism of FIFA is mounting. And in light of Quans’s ejection, experts are wondering whether the federation also suspended his suspension so that he could play in the quarterfinal match.
The English team will face Norway in that match.
The 2026 World Cup schedule will continue on July 6 with two more matches, one of which is of particular interest. In that match, Portugal will face Spain, another of the tournament’s clear favorites. However, the Portuguese, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, are unlikely to give up their spot in the quarterfinals without a fight.
In the other match of the day, the U.S. national team will face Belgium. The winners of these matches will determine another quarterfinal pairing for the World Cup.
