New jersey: Neymar announced his retirement from international football Sunday after Brazil's 2-1 loss to Norway in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 eliminated the five-time champions from the tournament. 'I tried. I tried. It started here at Met Life stadium and I finished here. It is now over,' Neymar told journalists after the match.
According to Philippines News Agency, he slumped to the ground in tears following the final whistle at the sports venue in New Jersey before being consoled by teammates. The 34-year-old scored Brazil's lone goal from the penalty spot in the 10th minute of stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent elimination as Norway reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
Neymar retires as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 international goals in 130 appearances. He made his senior international debut in 2010 after beginning his professional career with Santos FC in 2009 and won an Olympic gold medal with Brazil in 2016.
Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway in eliminating the five-time champion Brazil and securing their debut in the quarterfinals. All three goals made the net within the last 25 minutes of the match, with Haaland opening in the 79th minute after Andreas Schjelderup found him on the edge of the penalty area. The striker took a touch before driving a low header past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
He doubled Norway's lead in the 90th minute with another low strike from outside the area, driving the ball into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the tournament. The goal moved Haaland level with Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe at the top of the 2026 World Cup scoring chart.
Brazil pulled one back in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty, but the late goal was not enough to prevent elimination. Brazil had also missed a first-half penalty, with Bruno Guimaraes' spot kick saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
This year's World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams. The tournament concludes July 19. Argentina is the defending champion.
