Norway and England secured their place in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 26™ after a heart-racing day of action, setting up a mammoth clash in six days times.

With two more Round of 16 match-days to come, the race to lift football’s biggest prize intensifies.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland now have 7 goals in his debut World Cup.

Brazil 1 Norway 2

Norway produced a fantastic performance to upset five-time champions Brazil, winning 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history. Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes, while goalkeeper Orjan Nyland delivered a series of outstanding saves to frustrate Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Neymar’s stoppage-time penalty proved only a consolation as Brazil bowed out in the Round of 16.

Brazil had the better of the chances throughout the match but were repeatedly denied by Nyland. The Norwegian goalkeeper saved Bruno Guimaraes’ first-half penalty after a VAR review awarded Brazil a spot kick, before producing several more crucial stops to keep the scores level. Brazil substitute Endrick also squandered a golden opportunity early in the second half, failing to convert after being played through by Vinicius Junior.

Norway made Brazil pay for those missed chances in the closing stages. Andreas Schjelderup burst down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross for Haaland to power home a header in the 79th minute, before the forward doubled the lead in the 90th minute with a composed finish through Danilo’s legs. Neymar converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but Norway held on to secure a famous victory and book a quarter-final against England in Miami on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham scored twice to help fire England into the last eight.

Mexico 2 England 3

England are through to the quarter-finals after edging out co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic Round of 16 contest at the famous Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. A quickfire first-half double from Jude Bellingham put England in control before Julián Quiñones pulled one back. Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot after the break to restore his side’s two goal cushion, only for Raul Jiménez to score a penalty of his own. England then dug deep to protect their lead despite playing the final 36 minutes with ten men following Jarell Quansah’s red card.

Mexico started brightly and threatened early, but England took control through Jude Bellingham, who nodded in Bukayo Saka’s delivery before adding his second only two minutes later after Kane punished a defensive mistake and squared for Bellingham to bundled home from close range. Mexico responded before half-time when Julián Quiñones finished well, latching on to a loose ball following a free-kick. England’s task became that more difficult shortly after the restart when Quansah was sent off, but Kane restored the two-goal lead from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was fouled.

Mexico refused to go away and were handed a lifeline when a VAR review awarded a penalty for Kane’s challenge on Brian Gutiérrez. Jiménez converted to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finish as the hosts pushed for an equaliser. England held their nerve through the closing stages to secure a place in the last eight where they will face Norway.

RESULTS

Round of 16

Brazil 1 (NEYMAR 90 + 10 (P)) Norway 2 Erling HAALAND 79′, 90′)

Mexico 2 (Julian QUINONES 42′, Raul JIMENEZ 69′ (P)) England 3 (Jude BELLINGHAM 36′, 38′, Harry KANE 60′ (P))

WHAT’S NEXT

Tuesday 7 July

Round of 16

Portugal v Spain | 7am NZT (Dallas)

USA v Belgium | 12pm NZT (Seattle)