Erling Haaland fired Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, scoring twice to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brazil on Sunday.

The 25-year-old striker broke the deadlock in the 79th minute and added a second goal 11 minutes later to seal the historic win for Norway, who are competing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Despite having only four touches inside the box during the match, Haaland's clinical finishing proved decisive. His second goal, a low drive from outside the penalty area, underlined his reputation as one of the world's most feared strikers. This performance brought his tournament goal tally to seven, placing him level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin described Haaland's winning goal as extraordinary, noting the lack of clear chances before the striker found the net. Former England striker Ian Wright commented on Haaland's efficiency, highlighting that the striker did not require numerous touches to make an impact.

The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with England, who advanced after a 3-2 win against Mexico. Norway, now just three wins away from a potential world title, are buoyed by the presence of Haaland, whom former England captain Wayne Rooney described as a "gamechanger" who has instilled belief in the entire nation.

Haaland's international record for Norway is remarkable, with 62 goals in 54 senior international appearances, averaging a goal every 71 minutes. Notably, only six of these goals have been from penalties. He has scored in his last 14 competitive appearances for the national team.

Former England defender Gary Neville highlighted that Haaland has now proven his capability on the biggest stage, dismissing previous criticisms about his World Cup performances. Haaland has scored seven goals in four games at this tournament, including braces against Iraq and Senegal in the group stage and a late winner against Ivory Coast in the last 32.

Norway's journey to this point has been impressive, and their historic triumph over a football powerhouse like Brazil underscores their potential. The team's performance, spearheaded by their talismanic striker, suggests they will be a formidable opponent for any team, including their upcoming challenge against England.