The Selecao continued their quest for a sixth star against a Norway team looking to break new ground at the finals after a lack of experience on football’s greatest stage.
Stale Solbakken’s side began brightly here and had a well-orchestrated goal ruled out for offside when Alexander Sorloth marginally mistimed his run before teeing up Patrick Berg to fire home.
It looked like that offside call would prove even more costly when Kristoffer Ajer was penalised for a challenge on Matheus Cunha in the box, as referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot following a VAR review.
However, Bruno Guimaraes could not accept the gift from 12 yards, seeing his poor penalty comfortably parried to safety by Orjan Nyland.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side upped the ante and could have easily broken the deadlock had Gabriel Martinelli not been denied by Nyland, following a surging run down the left, with Guimaraes waiting to pounce in the six-yard box.
Norway were holding their own, though, as Martin Odegaard fired into the side netting. But an error from the skipper almost gifted Brazil an opener, had Nyland not bailed him out of jail with a fine save to deny Vinicius Junior.
Alisson Becker had largely been a spectator in comparison, but was called into action to keep out Odegaard’s strike at the end of an intriguing first half.
The second half began in a sluggish manner, prompting Ancelotti to freshen up Brazil’s attack two minutes shy of the hour mark with the introduction of Endrick for Matheus Cunha.
The 19-year-old almost made an immediate impact when he latched onto Vinícius’ precise through ball, only to fire wide with just Nyland left to beat. The Norwegian stopper was proving to be a formidable last line of defence for his side, keeping out Rayan’s effort moments later.
Norway were sensing an opportunity to deliver a sucker punch, with Haaland twice going close to connecting with Andreas Schjelderup’s and Ajer’s deliveries from deep inside the box. Schjelderup was proving to be quite a handful since his introduction from the bench, forcing Alisson into a strong save at his near post.
Momentum was swinging in favour of the Scandinavians, and with 79 minutes played, Haaland broke the deadlock with a stunning header at the far post from Schjelderup’s cross.
Nyland continued his virtuoso display between the sticks, somehow scampering back in time to prevent an own goal, before Haaland took centre stage once again, effortlessly drilling a left-footed strike past Alisson in the most nonchalant fashion.
That goal humbled the five-time world champions, ultimately ending the game as a contest and moving Haaland level on seven goals with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
The Selecao were able to net a consolation deep in stoppage time, as Leo Ostigard was penalised for an aerial challenge on Casemiro, allowing Neymar to convert from the penalty spot.
Solbakken’s team will now face the winners of the last-16 tie between Mexico and England in Miami next Saturday, continuing their remarkable record of never losing to Brazil in five meetings.
Meanwhile, the inquest will begin after a sobering match for Ancelotti’s side, having now lost each of their previous seven post-group stage World Cup games against European opposition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Erling Haaland (Norway)
