It's been a phenomenal week for the Borussia Dortmund fans! Against all the odds, Julian Ryerson and Norway beat 2026 FIFA World Cup favorites Brazil whilst Gregor Kobel's Switzerland ousted Colombia as both European sides reached the quarter-finals.
In our prediction piece just days before the kick-off, we expected Norway and Switzerland to bow out of the tournament and thus bringing the BVB's World Cup run to an end. But much to our surprise, the outcome turned out to be the exact contrast of it.
Ryerson shines as former Dortmund star dumps Brazil
Borussia Dortmund's 'assist king' Julian Ryerson was reinstated into Norway's starting XI on Monday for the first time since picking up an injury in their second group fixture to Senegal on 23 June.
It was a welcome sight for the BVB faithful and the marauding full-back didn't disappoint. He was aggressive off the ball and didn't let Brazil create much from his side of the pitch.
Ryerson followed Vinicius Junior like a shadow, limiting the Real Madrid star's impact by a mile. He was key to regaining possession too, making four ball recoveries and completing 93% of his passes.
But the hero of the day, was former Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who struck a late brace. He leapt the highest to connect with a looping cross from Andreas Schjelderup in the 79th minute before firing a low-drive into the far corner, 11 minutes later, from another pass by Schjelderup to double Norway's lead.
Brazil pulled one back through Neymar in stoppage-time, with the former Barcelona ace converting a penalty in the 10th added minute. But it was too little too late as Norway held on to their lead and marched into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time ever.
Julian Ryerson and co. face England in the last-8 on Saturday, 11 July.
Kobel the shootout hero as the Swiss oust Colombia
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a key save in their penalty shootout win over Colombia as Switzerland reached their first FIFA World Cup last-8 since 1954.
Kobel dived the right way to deny Cucho Hernandez in the fourth attempt, which proved to be a pivotal moment in the shootout as Davinson Sanchez had also hit the crossbar earlier on.
With La Nati back in the driving seat, Ruben Vargas dispatched their fifth penalty attempt as Switzerland won the shootout 5-3 and sealed their passage into the last-8.
During 120 minutes of open play too, Kobel was vital to his team's fortunes with three saves, including a fabulous dive to parry away Ardon Jashari's long-range effort.
After going the entire group stage without a single clean sheet, the 28-year-old has registered one in back-to-back knockout games while also picking up the Man of the Match award on Tuesday for his shootout heroics.
Switzerland next face defending champions Argentina on Saturday, 11 June.
Add us as a preferred source on Google