Norway stunned Brazil with a 2-1 win courtesy of Erling Haaland’s double strike. The Norwegian striker scored a brace to send his side to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
It was a dull display from the five-time champions, which saw them crash out of the tournament despite Neymar pulling one back from the spot in his last dance on the world stage. Also, with the double that Haaland scored in this match, he is still alive in the Golden Boot race this year as he increased his goal tally to 7.
Neymar consoled by his teammates after Brazil’s 2-1 loss vs Norway (Credits: Reuters)
Meanwhile, one of the greatest strikers from Brazil, whose FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign was marred by injury in the right calf, announced his retirement from Brazil after elimination in the Round of 16 match.
With a victory in the knockout clash, Norway will now face England in the quarterfinals, who advanced past the Round of 16 by handing over Mexico their first loss at the iconic Estadio Azteca stadium. It was a gritty showdown at high altitude where England did not lose their composure even after being almost worn out by the end of the game and Mexico’s fightback.
‘I started here, I finished here’: Neymar on ending journey with Brazil
After five-time champions Brazil’s brutal elimination from the football World Cup, an n emotional Neymar said his career with Brazil had “finished”. The 34-year-old scored a late consolation goal via a penalty as Brazil lost 2-1, marking their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.
Neymar sitting stunned on the ground as Brazil bowed out of FIFA World Cup 2026 (Credits: Reuters)
As Neymar broke down on the ground in tears after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, his teammates consoled the striker. After the match, Neymar told Globo, “I tried, I tried. Now, it’s over. I started here; I finished here.”
Neymar made his debut for Brazil against the United States in a friendly at MetLife Stadium in August 2010, scoring his first international goal. He will finish his international career as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals, three ahead of Pelé.
Neymar breaks down in tears after five-time champions Brazil’s elimination
Neymar started sobbing on the field the moment the match ended, and was surrounded by his teammates consoling their star player. His goal in stoppage time Sunday made him just the second Brazilian man, alongside Pelé, to score in four World Cups. Neymar’s 130 appearances for his country are second behind Cafu (142) on Brazil’s all-time list.
Neymar sitting dejected on field after Brazil’s FIFA World Cup exit
Because of a nagging right calf injury, Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil’s five games in the tournament. He was on the field for 15 minutes against Scotland in group play and came off the bench in the 67th minute against Norway.
However, Brazil’s best player for more than a decade had been slowed by injuries, limiting his impact in recent years.
Sparks fly between goalkeeper Nyland and Neymar before the penalty
Things turned heated in the final moments after the Vikings secured a two-goal lead. Neymar, who replaced Gabriel Martinelli midway through the second half, engaged in a heated exchange with some Norway players. He was even spotted laughing in the face of opposition goalkeeper Orjan Nyland after converting the penalty.
The duo engaged in an animated verbal exchange as Neymar stepped up to take the penalty for Brazil. The Brazilian forward kept calm and reduced the goal deficit. However, his effort went in vain subsequently. After hitting the net, Neymar approached Nyland, flashing a sarcastic smile.
Neymar’s heated exchange with Norway goalkeeper Nyland (Credits: Reuters)
Sad end to Neymar’s last dance for Brazil
With the farewell that the Brazilian striker gave after the match, he has finished as Brazil men’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances, surpassing Pele’s official tally for the national team. Since making his debut as a teenager, Neymar has been a talking point of Brazil’s attack across four World Cups, carrying the burden of expectation through different generations.
Yet the World Cup remained the missing piece. In 2014, his tournament ended with injury before Brazil’s infamous semifinal collapse against Germany. In 2018, Brazil fell in the quarterfinals to Belgium. In 2022, despite Neymar scoring a brilliant extra-time goal against Croatia, Brazil were beaten on penalties. This year, Norway ended the five-time champions’ road earlier than expected.
Co-hosts Mexico eliminated suffering first WC loss at Estadio Azteca Stadium
In the Round of 16 matchup at the Azteca Stadium, also known as the temple of football, England overcame Mexico to move to the quarterfinals by beating the hosts 3-2. The English side survived a red card and the late comeback from the Mexican team that had cut the lead, but it was not enough to bring down England.
England had appeared to be coasting to victory when Jude Bellingham scored two goals in as many first-half minutes. But Julian Quinones struck before the break and Jarell Quansah then saw red for an ugly lunge, setting up a thrilling finale. Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead from the spot, only to concede a penalty himself moments later. Raul Jimenez converted, but Mexico could not score again as England prevailed.
Referee showing red card to Jarrell Quansah for tackling Mexican player to the knee with boot studs (Credits: Reuters)
Red card to Quansah reduced England to 10-man side
In the second half around 52nd minute, Jarell Quansah slid in with a horribly high, studs-up challenge on Gallardo in front of the benches. That left the Mexican player wrenching in pain on the fielder and referee dismissed Quansah off the field with a red card after which England played with just 10-men on the team.
