A sublime Erling Haaland brace knocked Brazil out of the World Cup and sent Norway through to the last 16 with a 2-1 win on Sunday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men were given a golden opportunity to take the lead after being awarded a penalty. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up but saw his attempt saved by Norweigan goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

Haaland’s first goal arrived in the 79th minute, meeting Andreas Schjelderup’s cross with a fine header. His second in the 90th minute gave Alisson Becker absolutely no chance, as he nonchalantly controlled the ball before smashing it into the far bottom corner.

Neymar pulled one back for the Brazilians from the penalty spot in the 90+8th minute. That will likely be his last kick of a football at a World Cup, and it was the last goal of Selecao’s disappointing campaign in North America.

Brazil 1-2 Norway: Neymar and Nyland Spat

Mike Segar via Action Images via Reuters

Haaland drew level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring charts with seven goals. For Neymar, his last hurrah in his nation’s colours ended in frustration and he failed to keep his composure after scoring.

The Santos forward came on in the second half but couldn’t help Brazil stage a comeback against Norway. The 34-year-old is expected to announce his international retirement following the tournament, and he’ll have wanted to do so as a world champion.

Instead, his last World Cup memory is a spat with Norweigan goalkeeper Nyland. He exchanged words with the 35-year-old shot-stopper before and after the shot-stopper took his penalty.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Nyland trying to throw Neymar off after the Brazilian star told him: “Where do you want it? Where do you want it?”

The Norweigan told him: “I’ll stop it for you! I’ll stop it for you!”

Neymar calmly found the back of the net, with Nyland rooted to his spot. He then ran towards the former Sevilla goalkeeper and told him (via DAZN): “Not to me! Not to me!”

Neymar is a Brazilian footballing icon who eclipsed Pele as the country’s all-time top scorer in 2023. When he rose to the top of world football, many expected him to be the catalyst for Selecao to finally reclaim the World Cup, which they haven’t won since 2002.

The former Barcelona star had to be consoled after the loss to Norway as his emotions took over. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of Pele and lifting the World Cup for the record-holders.

‘Pathetic Ending’ – Fans Hit Out at Neymar

Adriano Machado via Reuters

Neymar’s antics after scoring his penalty didn’t go down well with fans who felt he put himself before the team. Some argued that he seemed more interested in provoking Nyland rather than hurrying to get the ball back with just seconds left.

One fan on X wrote: Neymar giving big ones to Nyland, who already saved a penalty this game and has just won the game, heading to the Quarter Finals. Embarrassing.”

Another supporter added: “Is Neymar seriously taunting the goalkeeper when he’s down 2-1 at the 99th minute.”

One wrote: “What a pathetic ending to Neymar’s career. Provoking and taunting the goalkeeper after scoring a penalty.”

Another replied: “Neymar trash talking when his team is about to be knocked out, pack it up man.”

If this is the end for Neymar at international level, he bids farewell in humiliating fashion. His selection stirred controversy after Ancelotti omitted Chelsea‘s Joao Pedro despite an impressive season.

Neymar debuted for Brazil at the age of 18 back in 2010 and has since earned 130 caps, scoring 80 goals and providing 59 assists. He has not only never won a World Cup but also failed to fire his nation to Copa America glory.

The Belgian Football Association’s initial reaction to FIFA controversially suspending United States star Folarin Balogun’s red card has been revealed.

Balogun is now set to be available for the USMNT’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium at the World Cup on Tuesday (July 7th). FIFA have used Article 27 to suspend the former Arsenal star’s one-game ban, allowing him to continue playing in the tournament.

US President Donald Trump applauded FIFA for “doing what is right and reversing a great injustice.” While there has been widespread debate over Balogun’s challenge that led to his sending-off, there is outrage at the suspension of his ban.

Belgium React to Balogun Red Card Suspension

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Balogun’s sending-off came in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The American inadvertently left his studs on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf, although Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially didn’t punish the player.

VAR intervened, advising Claus to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and he brandished a red card. Backlash ensued following the decision, with manager Mauricio Pochettino furious and others comparing the foul to Lionel Messi’s in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria.

FIFA have since used Article 27 to suspend the one-game ban, a call that hasn’t gone down well in the footballing world. As well as with the Belgian FA, who have released a statement in response (via Fabrizio Romano):

The Belgians add that “this provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”

“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’

“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.”

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

De Standaard’s Bart Lagae reports that the Belgian FA president Pascale Van Damme has flown to Seattle. As an acting member of the FIFA Council, he is set to discuss the Balogun controversy.

Balogun is one of the USA’s most important players and is the nation’s top scorer with three goals in as many games. One of them came in the 2-0 win over Bosnia, and Belgium will have been preparing to face the Americans without their centre-forward.

Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad pointed out that Rudi Garcia would have to change his team’s preparations and that the Belgian coach “hadn’t factored this in”. They also claim that the European nation are the “victims of this” and downplay the likelihood of action changing the situation.

Ex-FIFA Referee Slams Decision

REUTERS/Henry Romero

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett deemed the suspension of Balogun’s one-game ban “unacceptable.” While writing on X, he pointed out that future red cards may well be deferred as a knock-on effect.

Cristiano Ronaldo is another beneficiary of Article 27 after he almost missed Portugal’s World Cup opening games. FIFA prevented that from happening by suspending a red card he received in his country’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier back in November.

Hackett urged all other competing nations, not just Belgium, to challenge FIFA’s decision. The suspension lasts a year and means Balogun won’t risk the ban coming into effect should the USA win at Seattle Stadium and progress further through the knockout rounds.

Football fans have been left stunned by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comments on FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card.

FIFA opted to invoke Article 27, which allows it to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban following a contentious sending-off in the United States’ World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The AS Monaco striker received his marching orders for a challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

The USA and their coach, Mauricio Pochettino, were outraged by the decision. Likewise, US president Donald Trump, who has since applauded FIFA for “doing the right thing” and “reversing a great injustice.”

Ibrahimovic ‘Happy’ After Balogun Red Card Suspended

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

FIFA haven’t reversed the red card decision but rather suspended the one-game ban for one year. For many, this is inexcusable given that others who have been sent off during a World Cup haven’t been allowed such treatment.

Balogun will now be available for the USA’s last 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday at Seattle Stadium. Not only are fans and the media calling it corruption, but the Belgian FA are also considering legal action over an “astonishing” decision.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, says he’s “happy” with the outcome and given a suspicious verdict on the situation. He said on American broadcaster FOX Sports:

Balogun has been crucial for Pochettino’s side, finding the net three times in as many outings. He scored in a 2-0 win over Bosnia before being sent down the tunnel for a foul that many, including Ibrahimovic, felt didn’t justify a red card.

There had already been a debate over the sending-off, but FIFA’s suspension has caused outrage. A volatile situation continues to spiral out of control and Ibrahimovic has dragged himself into the firing line.

‘Money Talks’ – Fans Slam Ibrahimovic

REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Ibrahimovic usually doesn’t mince his words and says how he feels, but some believe he’s played up to the American fanbase with his comments. The former Manchester United striker might live to regret giving his take on the Balogun saga.

One fan responded to a clip of the Swede with a brutal dig: “Zlatan has officially sold out.”

Another supporter added: “He’s lost all my respect after this…”

One wrote: “Now he has nothing to say about this unfair awful decision because he is on FOX Sports. Money talks and he shuts up.”

This was echoed by another: “Put money in his account and he will say whatever is needed.”

One fan questioned Ibrahimovic’s integrity: “Zlatan has no spine. Got a gig at an American channel and he will say anything to appease their audience.”

Another added: “Zlatan, who was hyped up as that tough guy, is this. As long as he can make money, he’ll easily betray football.”

Stephanie Lecocq via Reuters

Ibrahimovic’s FOX Sports colleague and former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry gave a more honest assessment. He pointed out that he didn’t think it was a red card, but that it changed everything for Belgium’s preparations.

Henry insisted a decision should have been made in the immediate aftermath of USA’s win over Bosnia. Balogun will nonetheless be in action and will most likely start in Tuesday’s game in Seattle, Washington.