World Cup 2026: Brazil face Haaland's Norway at MetLife; England play Mexico at the Azteca in two Round of 16 classics

Summary

Norway eliminated Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, completing the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup and ending Brazil's tournament at the Round of 16, the earliest elimination in 28 years. Erling Haaland scored twice, a header in the 79th minute and a clinical finish in the 90th, to take his tournament total to seven goals. Brazil opened the scoring through Vinicius Jr but, without the injured Lucas Paqueta, could not maintain the creative pressure needed to hold the lead as Norway built through direct ball to Haaland. Norway extend their all-time unbeaten record against Brazil to five matches. England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca, advancing to face Norway in the quarterfinal on July 11 in Miami. Full match report: England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca after lightning delay, face Norway in the quarterfinal.

The split

Norwegian media reacted to the result as the greatest football moment in the country's history, with Haaland described as "the first Norwegian superstar to deliver at a World Cup." Brazilian press entered crisis mode immediately, with Globo Esporte and Lance! questioning whether Dorival Junior can survive the exit and calling the result a failure of squad planning comparable to the 2014 Mineirazo. South American regional media are measuring the significance of a simultaneous exit of both last-tournament heavyweight Brazil and of the record-breaking Haaland Norway cohort advancing deeper than any Scandinavian side since Sweden 1994. Mexican media remain focused on the Azteca match and the prospect of a quarter-final against a Norway side Brazil could not stop.

By the numbers

• 2-1, final score: Norway beat Brazil
• 7, Haaland's tournament goal tally after scoring twice in the quarter-final
• 5, all-time Norway vs Brazil meetings without a Norwegian defeat (3 wins, 2 draws)
• 28, years since Brazil last exited a World Cup at the Round of 16 (1998)
• 13, goals scored by Mexico across five tournament matches entering their round of 16 vs England

Why it matters

Brazil's earliest exit in a generation triggers an immediate reckoning in South American football: the CBF president and coach face pressure, and the country's absence from the quarter-final removes the tournament's largest neutral-support bloc. Norway's advance is historically significant: Haaland is now the leading scorer in the 2026 tournament, and Norway reaching the last eight is their best World Cup finish since 1938. A Mexico quarter-final run against Norway at a neutral venue would be a first for Mexico at any non-home World Cup beyond the round of 16.

What to watch

• Norway vs England quarterfinal on July 11 in Miami: Haaland's seven goals against England's defence that held Mexico with 10 men
• CBF emergency response: whether Dorival Junior is dismissed before Brazil returns to competitive football
• Haaland's form in the quarter-final, and whether Norway's physical-direct style holds against a more technically capable opponent
• Whether the Azteca lightning delay disrupts either team's preparation for extra time or penalties