Haaland dumps Brazil as England beat Mexico in Azteca classic

Norway ended Brazil’s World Cup on Sunday, while England survived a red card and a raucous Azteca to beat Mexico 3-2 in what Jude Bellingham called the best night of his England career.

[See more: Cabo Verde’s World Cup performance celebrated despite exit]

Norway 2-1 Brazil

It is the greatest result in Norwegian football history. Erling Haaland scored twice in the final eleven minutes to send Norway to their first ever World Cup quarterfinal, eliminating a Brazil side that had not failed to reach the last eight in 36 years. It is also Norway’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

The first half was a tight affair. Ørjan Nyland was outstanding, saving Bruno Guimarães’ 13th minute penalty and producing a string of crucial stops. Haaland struggled to make an impact but worked Brazil’s defence relentlessly. Patrick Berg thought he had given Norway an early lead but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Carlo Ancelotti brought on Endrick, who missed a clean one-on-one with Nyland, and eventually Neymar, but Brazil still could not find a way through.

In the 79th minute, Andreas Schjelderup’s cross from the left was met by Haaland, who soared above Gabriel Magalhães to power a header past Alisson. Then, in the 90th minute, Haaland collected Schjelderup’s pass, steadied himself and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner – his seventh goal of the tournament, drawing him level with Messi and Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.

Neymar pulled one back from the spot in stoppage time after Leo Ostigard elbowed Casemiro in the box. Brazil are going home, eliminated by European opposition for the sixth consecutive World Cup. For Neymar, it is almost certainly his last appearance for his country.

“To score seven goals for Norway in the World Cup is quite special,” Haaland said. “I never expected to win against Brazil.”

Norway face England in Miami on Saturday.

Mexico 2-3 England 

England made history at the Azteca. Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds before a red card, two penalties and a grandstand finish produced a 3-2 win that ended Mexico’s unbeaten World Cup home record stretching back to 1930. The match had been delayed by over an hour due to a severe lightning storm before kick-off.

Bellingham headed in a Bukayo Saka cross in the 36th minute, then finished from Kane’s pass two minutes later to put England 2-0 up. Julián Quiñones volleyed Mexico back into it from a corner just before half-time.

The second half turned dramatic immediately. Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo, reducing England to ten men. Kane then converted a penalty after Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel – his sixth of the tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Müller for fifth on the all-time list.

VAR then awarded Mexico a penalty after Kane fouled Brian Gutiérrez. Raúl Jiménez converted to make it 3-2 – Mexico needed one more goal.

England defended for their lives with ten men across 40 minutes of pressure. Jordan Pickford made a series of outstanding saves, including a flying stop from a Jiménez header, while Bellingham made a vital goal-line clearance in stoppage time.

England became the first team to beat Mexico at the Azteca in a World Cup. It is Mexico’s eighth Round of 16 exit – they have not advanced past this stage since hosting in 1986.

“This is probably the biggest England win I can remember as a fan or player,” Bellingham said. “The best night of my England career.”