World Cup Shock: Norway Eliminates Brazil in the Round of 16 as Antena 1 Tops the Ratings for the 25th Consecutive Tournament Day

England also sent the second host nation, Mexico, home, making history in the process.

The story of the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to unfold live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, as the Round of 16 entered its second day. Norway stunned the football world yesterday by eliminating five-time world champions Brazil, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, securing their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. There, they will face England, who also booked a sensational place in the last eight after defeating Mexico. Last night's Brazil vs Norway clash captured the attention of viewers nationwide, becoming the clear ratings leader across all audience categories. Antena 1 thus recorded its 25th consecutive World Cup broadcast day as the market leader. The channel also ranked first in both Prime Time and across the entire broadcast day.

Today, the competition, available exclusively across the Antena universe, once again proves that nothing is ordinary—not even on a Monday—as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal prepare to deliver a football spectacle. From 10:00 PM, Legend meets Future. Ronaldo, competing in his sixth FIFA World Cup alongside his dream team, takes on the young and ambitious Yamal and the reigning European champions in Portugal vs Spain, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. From 3:00 AM, football delivers another Hollywood-worthy drama as tournament hosts the United States face Belgium—the team that simply refuses to die, having already staged two remarkable comebacks during the world's most-watched sporting event.

Yesterday's third Round of 16 match saw Brazil take on Norway. Broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 11:00 PM and 1:04 AM, the 2-1 victory for Norway became viewers' first choice, posting a 45.6% audience share and an 8.8 rating among the commercial audience aged 21-54, well ahead of Pro TV, which registered a 13.1% share and a 2.5 rating. The same ranking was maintained among the urban audience, where the match achieved a 39.4% audience share and a 9.2 rating, compared to Pro TV's 9.7% share and 2.3 rating. Nationwide, Antena 1 also led comfortably with a 31.3% market share and a 7.0 rating, while Pro TV followed with an 11.2% share and a 2.5 rating. At the golden minute (11:42 PM), more than 1.5 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.

Antena 1 also led the ratings across the entire day with a 2.7 rating and a 22.7% audience share, as well as throughout Prime Time (7:00 PM–12:00 AM), where it posted a 4.8 rating and a 21.9% audience share among viewers aged 21-54.

Last night, Brazil suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Norway live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, ending their World Cup campaign in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland guided the Vikings into the quarter-finals for the first time in history with goals in the 80th and 90th minutes. Brazil's only goal came from Neymar, who scored in the 90+10th minute before announcing his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a remarkable 16-year career with the Seleção. During that time, he scored 80 goals in 130 appearances for Brazil.

Brazil captain Marquinhos apologized to the Brazilian people following the team's Round of 16 elimination. The defeat marks Brazil's longest-ever World Cup title drought—24 years—and their poorest tournament result since 1990, when they were also eliminated in the Round of 16.

Erling Haaland once again stole the spotlight in Norway's historic victory. The Manchester City striker's brace brought his tournament tally to seven goals, placing him joint-top of the Golden Boot standings alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

The Round of 16 continued live from 3:00 AM on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY with another thrilling encounter in front of more than 80,000 fans at the iconic Estadio Azteca, where England achieved a historic milestone by defeating Mexico on their own turf. The Three Lions became only the third national team ever to beat Mexico in an official match at the legendary stadium—and the first to defeat El Tri there in a FIFA World Cup match.

The Mexico vs England clash, which ended 3-2 in England's favour, had everything: a red card, two penalties, spectacular goals and several new historical milestones. Jude Bellingham's brace, scored in just 98 seconds, immediately entered the World Cup record books among the fastest braces in tournament history. Only two players have scored two goals more quickly: Toni Kroos, who struck twice in one minute and ten seconds during Germany's famous 7-1 victory over Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice in one minute and thirty-five seconds during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final against Argentina.

With this Round of 16 victory, England also achieved another historic first. The 1966 world champions became the first national team ever to defeat Mexico at Estadio Azteca in a FIFA World Cup match. After Bellingham's early double, Julián Quiñones pulled one back, leaving England 2-1 ahead at halftime.

England's task became more difficult in the second half after Jarell Quansah was sent off and Raúl Jiménez equalised for Mexico. However, despite playing with ten men, Thomas Tuchel's side held their nerve until the final whistle, securing a famous victory and booking their place in the quarter-finals.

Day 26 Schedule – 2026 FIFA World Cup

• Portugal vs Spain – 10:00 PM, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
• United States vs Belgium – 3:00 AM, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY

Source: Fifty5Blue

Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.

Data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.

Analysis based on the following target audiences: Urban 21-54, Urban Total and National.

Reporting period: July 5, 2026.