EAST RUTHERFORD: The goal-scoring power of Erling Haaland and the goalkeeping reflexes of Orjan Nyland inspired Norway to achieve the greatest achievement in their footballing history by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Haaland extended his magnificent markmanship sequences with the two second-half goals with which Norway racked up a 2-1 victory over five-times world champions Brazil whose consolation goal was only a last-minutes penalty by Neymar.

Manchester City centre-forward Haaland is joint top of the finals rankings with seven goals alongside Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe. He has scored in all of his last 14 appearances, totalling 27 goals. Norway enter the quarter-finals having lost only once in their last 15 competitive internationals.

Brazil looked ill-at-easy and disjointed in attack for much of the match. The experiment with Gabriel Martinelli out of position in the No10 role was a failure. Yet they might have taken the lead in the 59th lead only for newly-arrived substitute Endrick, running clear, to stab his shot wide.

Keeper Nyland set the pattern for the duel in only the 13th minute when he saved a penalty from Bruno Guimaraes after Kristoffer Ajer had tripped Matheus Cunha. Decisively, in the 80th minute when Norway were only 1-0 ahead, Nyland dived back and across his goal area acrobatically to deny what would have been an own goal by Ajer.

The momentum appeared in Brazil’s favour at the start, as ​Ajer conceded an early penalty with a foolish challenge on Matheus Cunha after 13 minutes. But the Brazilian fans were left scratching their heads as Guimaraes stepped ‌up to ⁠take the kick instead of Vinicius Jr and that confusion turned to exasperation when Nyland dived left to save the penalty.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken replaced both wingers after halftime, sending on Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb, a masterstroke that gave Haaland the supporting cast he needed to put on a show.

The Manchester City striker was a full head above the Brazilian defenders as he headed in the opener from a superb cross ​by Schjelderup.

Eleven minutes later, Schjelderup again ​teed up Haaland, who appeared ⁠exhausted but found enough strength to fire in an unstoppable strike from outside the box as Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti sat grim-faced in the dugout.

Haaland said: “I peaked a couple of times in this tournament, but every now ​and then I get a new peak. If I get a chance or two, it usually turns ​into a goal. ⁠I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I am. It’s about being focused.”

Neymar’s penalty 10 minutes into added time did nothing to change his Italian coach’s demeanour and the Brazilian great wept openly after his final World Cup match.

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