Haaland Dumps Brazil Out as Balogun Ban Lifted Ahead of Belgium Clash

The day's most arresting result came from Norway, where Erling Haaland scored twice to send Brazil crashing out of the World Cup. It is among the tournament's biggest upsets — Brazil had arrived in North America as one of the favourites, and their elimination by a Norwegian side built around their talismanic striker will reverberate through the remaining rounds. Haaland, already one of the tournament's defining figures, cemented that status with a performance that will be long remembered.

Off the pitch, FIFA's disciplinary committee handed USA a significant boost by suspending Folarin Balogun's one-game ban, clearing the striker — three goals in three starts — to face Belgium in the last 16. Belgium's football association reacted with astonishment at the ruling, and the decision will likely remain a talking point long after the match is played. Elsewhere, Canada's co-hosting dream ended with a last-16 defeat to Morocco in Houston, prompting honest reflection about the true state of the game on home soil, while Carlos Queiroz departed as Ghana coach following their tournament exit.

Ronaldo confirmed that this World Cup will be his last, ahead of Monday's last-16 tie against Spain in Dallas — a fixture that now carries an additional weight of finality. England's corresponding match against Mexico in Mexico City was pushed back an hour by severe weather, disrupting plans for broadcasters and fans across time zones. In the transfer market, Newcastle completed the £43m signing of Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim, and Denzel Dumfries officially joined Real Madrid from Inter.