Norway entered the World Cup round of 16 with a slim margin for error, knowing that a win was essential to keep their tournament hopes alive.
A Late Surge in New Jersey
In a tightly contested match played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Haaland struck twice in the closing stages, scoring in the 79th and 90th minutes to flip the result to a 2‑1 victory over Brazil.
Those goals not only sealed the win but also brought Haaland’s tournament tally to seven, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé at the summit of the scoring chart.
Mexico’s Historic Venue
Later that same day, co‑host Mexico faced England at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a stadium where the host nation has never lost a World Cup match.
The atmosphere in the arena highlighted the cultural weight of the venue, as fans hoped to preserve the ground’s perfect World Cup record while England sought to advance.
With the quarter‑final lineup now taking shape, pundits are already debating how Haaland’s hot streak might influence Norway’s prospects against upcoming opponents, while Mexico looks to extend its unbeaten tradition at Azteca.