Norway stun Brazil as England lead Mexico in dramatic World Cup Sunday

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published July 5, 2026

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Norway produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 and sending one of the tournament’s biggest names home earlier than expected. According to Reuters, Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, while Brazil failed to reach the last eight for the first time since 1990.

The match remained goalless for much of the contest before Haaland broke the deadlock late in the second half and then struck again to put Norway in control. Brazil pulled one back through a late Neymar penalty, but it was not enough to prevent a painful exit for the five-time world champions. Al Jazeera also reported that Haaland’s brace took him to seven goals in the tournament.

Norway’s goalkeeper Orjan Nyland also emerged as one of the heroes of the night, with Reuters describing how he helped propel his country to a historic victory over Brazil. The result sparked major celebrations in Norway, where crowds poured into the streets after the final whistle.

For Brazil, the defeat raises serious questions about the team’s direction despite the attacking quality in the squad. Reuters quoted coach Carlo Ancelotti as saying Brazil created opportunities but struggled to apply enough pressure against Norway’s defensive structure, leaving the team to reflect on a sudden and costly elimination.

In the second World Cup match of the day, England were leading Mexico 2-1 at halftime in a tense Round of 16 clash at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. The Guardian reported that Jude Bellingham scored twice for England, while Mexico responded through Julian Quiñones in a fast and intense first half. Because the match was still live at the time of this report, the final result should be updated after the full-time whistle.

The Mexico-England match carries major importance because the winner will face Norway in the quarterfinals. Al Jazeera’s live coverage described the game as one of the most anticipated knockout matches, with Mexico playing at home and England entering as one of the favourites to go deep in the tournament.

Tawasul News angle: Sunday’s biggest story is not only Brazil’s elimination, but the way Norway changed the shape of the tournament. Haaland’s performance has pushed him deeper into the spotlight as one of the defining stars of this World Cup, while England and Mexico remain locked in a match that could decide Norway’s next major test.