Erling Haaland tells Norway to enjoy World Cup ride after another double
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Norway's Erling Haaland calmly guiding the ball past Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to score his second goal in their 3-2 World Cup win on June 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
EAST RUTHERFORD – Erling Haaland is not interested in dressing Norway up as World Cup conquerors just yet. After scoring twice for the second successive match as they beat Senegal 3-2 to progress on June 22, the striker’s message was simple: Enjoy it while it lasts.
The 25-year-old’s brace took him to four goals in the tournament, level with France forward Kylian Mbappe and one behind Lionel Messi, as Norway joined France on six points at the top of Group I before their meeting on June 26 to decide first place.
Asked about facing the French, Haaland gave a frank response. “I don’t care, we are through,” he told reporters. “They’ll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament.”
Norway have reached the knockout stages in their first World Cup appearance since 1998 and the striker, who now has 59 goals in 52 international matches, said their achievement should not be lost amid talk of what might come next.
Asked whether this could become his World Cup, Haaland said: “Depends on what you mean with that. To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage? Yes, I would say so.
“To win the World Cup? Absolutely not. I think let’s be a little realistic here, and let’s be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today.”
He added: “I want to achieve things with Norway. I want to qualify for the World Cup, the Euros, and everything there is. Again, it comes back to showing that it is possible, no matter where you come from. The World Cup is without a doubt the biggest stage. It is huge. Completely fantastic.”
Coach Stale Solbakken paid tribute to his star player, saying the Norwegians will do all they can to help him win the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
Captain Martin Odegaard assisted Haaland to score his first goal in the 48th minute, before he got his second with a deft finish 10 minutes later to make it 3-1. But the giant goal poacher also let a number of other chances go begging, and when Senegal pulled a goal back late on, it ensured a nervy finish.
“Well, I mean, today he did miss an open goal, and he could even have scored even four,” Solbakken joked.
“No, I mean, he is the best striker. He is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He’s scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest stage.
“It’s easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we’ll try to give Erling more games, and more help also in the next games. He’s on fire and I’m very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage.”
REUTERS