Haaland fires Norway into first World Cup quarter-final
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- Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
- Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute and added a low drive from outside the box 11 minutes later, managing just four touches inside the box in the entire match.
- Haaland's brace moved him level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi on seven goals at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
- Norway face England or co-hosts Mexico in the last eight and are three wins from a world title — this is their first World Cup since 1998 and only their fourth overall.
- Haaland has 62 goals in 54 senior internationals (a goal every 71 minutes) and has scored in 14 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, with only six of his 62 goals coming from the penalty spot.
- Haaland beat Arsenal centre-back Gabriel — his Premier League rival — to head Norway in front, with Gabriel a bystander for the decisive second goal.
- Norway had never won a World Cup knockout tie before last Tuesday; they have now won two in a row, the latest against five-time world champions Brazil.
Why it matters: Norway had never won a World Cup knockout game in their history before last Tuesday — now they've beaten Ivory Coast and five-time champions Brazil in successive rounds. Three wins separate them from the trophy, with England or co-hosts Mexico next, and Haaland's seven goals put him level with Mbappe and Messi in the Golden Boot race.
