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Norwegian striker Erling Haaland
Norway international's second strike in the 2-1 victory over Brazil has won the third phase of voting for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award.
Erling Haaland has announced himself on the global stage during FIFA World Cup 2026 with seven goals so far at his first tournament, including two in the enthralling victory against five-time winners Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium on 5 July.
Football fans around the world have now ensured that his second in that game has a place among the official contenders for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award by selecting it as the winner of the poll for the Round of 16’s finest strike.
Haaland had already headed his side into the lead by rising above Gabriel Magalhaes in the 79th minute. Then, with the stadium clock having ticked up to 90, the powerful Manchester City forward received the ball on the corner of the Brazil box, taking one touch with his right, a second with his left to set himself and then a third thunderbolt which sent the ball arrowing across the helpless Alisson and into the bottom corner of the net.
Haaland's goal received 34 per cent of the vote from FIFA.com users around the globe, putting him ahead of Lionel Messi (25 per cent) after the Argentina skipper's sensational equaliser against Egypt, with Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi in third (16 per cent) following his well-worked effort from a set-piece against Canada.
Stale Solbakken's side held on through added time, despite a last-gasp Neymar penalty, and now take on England in Miami on Saturday, 11 July, with a World Cup semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland firmly in their sights.
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway scores his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 05, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This is the third step in the process towards deciding the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament. There will be two subsequent votes, following the same process after the quarter-finals and semi-finals (combined), and then a final vote at the end of the tournament. With each voting window, FIFA.com users have 48 hours to place their vote.
The winner of the vote for the favourite goal of the group stage was Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov for his effort against Congo DR, before Sidny Lopes Cabral’s wonder-goal for Cabo Verde against Argentina topped the polls in the Round of 32. (FIFA)
