Norway and England advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on Monday after defeating Brazil and Mexico in their respective Round-of-16 matches.
These victories mark a significant shift in the tournament's trajectory, eliminating two traditional powerhouses and establishing a strong European presence in the final eight.
Norway secured a 2-1 victory over Brazil [1]. The win is a milestone for the Norwegian national team, marking the first time the country has ever reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup [5].
Erling Haaland led the effort for Norway, scoring two goals [2]. Both of Haaland's goals came after the 79th minute, securing the win in the closing stages of the match [2]. The defeat sends the five-time world champion Brazil home [4].
England also progressed after a high-scoring match against Mexico. The English side won 3-2 [3], holding off a late Mexican push to secure their spot in the next round [3].
Both teams advanced by scoring more goals than their opponents in the knockout stage [1, 2]. While England's victory maintains their status as a consistent contender, Norway's progression represents a historic breakthrough for the nation [5].
Brazil and Mexico are now eliminated from the competition [1]. The remaining teams will now move into the quarterfinals to determine who will compete for the trophy.
“Norway reached the quarterfinals for the first time”
The elimination of Brazil and Mexico signals a potential shift in global football dominance during the 2026 tournament. Norway's historic run, powered by late-game clinical finishing, establishes them as a new threat on the world stage, while England's ability to survive a high-scoring match demonstrates the resilience required for a deep tournament run.
