Norway: 2, Brazil: 1

A World Cup day for the ages, starting with Norway’s upset over Brazil. Brazil has never beaten Norway in a match, and that streak continued in New Jersey.

Early in the third minute, attacking midfielder Patrick Berg scored a goal that was ruled offside, which would have been a huge blow for Brazil.

The big moment for Brazil came when a penalty was awarded to them after a VAR check of a tackle in the box. Attacking midfielder Bruno Guimaraes stepped up, but his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland.

Brazil kept coming close in the first half, but nothing came, and Norway’s defense held strong. In the second half, substitute Endrick had a great chance, only having to hit it around Nyland and into the back of the net, but he missed the goal entirely, a huge mistake for Brazil.

In the 67th minute, Brazil subbed on Neymar for a spark after Norway was getting closer and closer. It would be the Norwegians who would score first, a cross in from substitute Andreas Schjelderup found the head of striker Erling Haaland, who didn’t miss the net. A huge moment in the game with just 10 minutes of regular time remaining.

Brazil tried pushing, a weird deflection took a direct course towards goal, and Nyland had to make another great save. In the 90th minute, Haaland got another pass from Schjelderup right outside the box, paused for a second and fired a rocket into the bottom corner, making it 2-0.

It was all over from there, but deep into stoppage time, another penalty was called for Brazil and Neymar made no mistake. It was a consolation goal for Brazil, but for Neymar, who retired internationally after the game, it was an important one.

Norway will play England in the quarterfinals, a battle of the best strikers in the world.

Player of the Match: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

England: 3, Mexico: 2

A second host nation falls in what was a zany game by all accords.

The first 35 minutes were slow, with the teams waiting to take advantage of a mistake. England punched first in the 36th minute, a great cross from right winger Bukayo Saka found the foot of attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored the opening goal. Right after the kickoff, Mexico turned it over, and striker Harry Kane found Bellingham for his second goal in as many minutes.

Just a few minutes after Bellingham scored his brace, Mexico got on the board. A bad clearance from England led to left winger Julian Quinones scoring his fourth of the tournament, and Mexico was right back in it.

Shortly into the second half, England found themselves in a lot of trouble. A high tackle from right back Jarell Quansah led to him receiving a red card, putting England down to 10 players in a hostile environment.

Right after a defensive change, England caught a huge break when left winger Anthony Gordon was fouled in the box by goalkeeper Raul Rangel, and it would be a penalty for the Three Lions. It was the correct call, but a sigh of relief for the English. Kane would make no mistake, and it was 3-1 to England.

The shenanigans wouldn’t stop there, Mexico got a penalty, and striker Raul Jimenez scored his attempt to make it 3-2, a game that was living up to all the hype. England had to hold on, down to 10 players still.

England held on, their low block did the trick and Mexico never really had anything threatening, silencing their Mexico City demons from the 1986 World Cup. They will play Norway in the Quarterfinals.

Player of the Match: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)