Haaland Stuns Brazil, Bellingham Sinks Mexico: Norway and England Reach World Cup Quarterfinals

Sunday, July 5th gave us two of the best World Cup games you could ask for — and by the end of the night, Brazil and Mexico were both heading home.

First up: Norway vs. Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. On paper, Brazil — five-time world champions — were supposed to handle this. They didn't. For most of the match, it looked like a stalemate was coming. Brazil had the better chances, even winning a first-half penalty, but goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland saved Bruno Guimarães' weak spot kick to keep it level. Then, in the final ten minutes, Erling Haaland happened.

The 6-foot-5 Manchester City striker — who'd barely touched the ball all game — suddenly turned it on when it mattered most. In the 79th minute, he beat defender Gabriel Magalhães in the air to head Norway in front. Then, right at the end of normal time, he struck again with a composed finish from distance. Two goals, 30 total touches the entire game. That's the Haaland effect. Brazil pulled one back through a Neymar penalty in stoppage time, but Norway held on to win 2-1.

This is a bigger deal than it sounds. Norway had never reached a World Cup quarterfinal before. Haaland now has seven goals in the tournament, tying Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot lead. Norway have now won every game in which Haaland has scored — 17 straight. And for Brazil, this is a historic low: their eighth straight World Cup elimination at the hands of a European team, and their earliest exit in 36 years. The Seleção came in with a win-or-bust mentality and left with nothing.

Then came the nightcap — England vs. Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Everything was stacked against England: altitude, a hostile crowd, and Mexico hadn't conceded a single goal all tournament. England hadn't even attempted a shot until the 26th minute and were lucky not to be down early. But then — in the space of a few minutes — Jude Bellingham changed everything.

Declan Rice drove down the right and laid off to Bukayo Saka, who whipped in a cross that Bellingham met with a diving header to open the scoring. England led 1-0. Mexico hit back quickly through Julián Quiñones, who capitalized on a defensive error to make it 1-1. England responded with another Bellingham goal — this time set up by Harry Kane — to make it 2-1 at halftime.

The second half got messy. England defender Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card after a VAR review, leaving the Three Lions with 10 men. Mexico pushed hard for the equalizer, but England — defying the odds — scored again. Anthony Gordon won a penalty and Kane coolly converted to make it 3-1. Mexico got one back late to set a nervy 3-2 final, but England held on. It was only the third time in history any team has beaten Mexico in a competitive match at the Azteca.

The quarterfinal matchup is now set: Norway vs. England on Saturday, July 11 in Miami. Two countries riding incredible momentum — and one of the most watchable games of the tournament ahead.