Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in a 2-1 defeat to Norway, and Neymar confirmed immediate retirement from international football after scoring a stoppage-time penalty. Erling Haaland’s brace sent Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time in World Cup history.

Neymar stated that the late penalty, converted in the 10th minute of second-half added time, would be the final act of a Brazil career that began in 2010. Norway held on despite that late goal, securing a landmark win.

The 34-year-old became only the second Brazil player to score in four separate World Cups, matching Pele’s achievement across 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. Neymar retires as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals, and only Cafu, with 142 caps, has played more than Neymar’s 130 appearances.

Neymar entered the match from the bench to a loud reception from the crowd, as had happened in Brazil’s final group fixture against Scotland. Persistent injury problems before the tournament limited Neymar to two substitute appearances in this World Cup, which have now proved the last for the Selecao.

“I tried; I tried. Now it’s over, Neymar, who made his debut against the United States in 2010, told Globo. I started here; I finished here.”

Haaland’s two goals decided the tie and ensured Norway reached a World Cup quarter-final for the first time. Norway also maintained a unique record against Brazil; across five meetings, Brazil have never won, with Norway claiming three victories and two draws.

Key moments went against Brazil across the 90 minutes. Bruno Guimaraes saw a first-half penalty saved by Orjan Nyland, denying a possible opening goal on Guimaraes’ first spot-kick for Brazil. Later, substitute Endrick broke clear but failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity.

Ancelotti reacts to Brazil World Cup exit

This defeat marks Brazil’s earliest World Cup elimination since 1990, when Argentina removed the team in the round of 16. Between 1994 and 2022, Brazil had always progressed at least to the quarter-finals across eight consecutive tournaments, underlining the scale of the setback.

“Obviously, everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened, Ancelotti said. I don’t think we have had a spectacular World Cup, but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game. You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve. What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas. I think we have done a good job, but this is football, and this is sport. You just have to deal with it, deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat. I am very much used to this, and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward.”

The Brazilian federation also addressed supporters with a public message after the loss, stressing both the disappointment and belief in a stronger return at future tournaments.