Norway dance to Erling Haaland’s beat in ‘surreal’ World Cup run

EAST RUTHERFORD – Erling Haaland said his Norway team were “changing the nation” after their 2-1 upset win over Brazil that has the side dancing to his beat as he led the now-famous Viking row celebrations by banging the drum after reaching a first World Cup quarter-final.

In Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, coach Stale Solbakken – a midfielder in that squad – has guided his country on a historic run, inspired in large part by the man he calls the “world’s best goalscorer”.

Born just weeks after Norway’s last major tournament appearance ended at Euro 2000, Haaland is now driving his country towards unprecedented heights on the biggest stage.

“I think the way we played today showed that Norway is a fantastic football team,” said Haaland after his brace in the July 5 win at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“We’re actually one of the better teams in Europe and the world because what we’ve been doing is amazing and it took 28 years, it took some time. I’m 25 years old, so you can’t really blame me for that. It’s unbelievable. I’m proud of my country and I’m proud of everyone.”

Manchester City striker Haaland has won the English Premier League’s Golden Boot in three of the past four seasons. His scoring record for Norway is simply astonishing, but perhaps even more striking is the way he has inspired the nation to achievements once thought beyond their reach.

“I dreamed of playing in the World Cup with Norway and taking them to the World Cup, but I never expected to win against Brazil, let’s be honest,” said Haaland.

“I thought it was not possible to do some things, but I guess I’m wrong.”

Haaland began the tournament with a brace in a 4-1 win over Iraq and struck two more goals as a 3-2 victory over Senegal booked Norway’s spot in the knockout phase.

Solbakken’s decision to rest Haaland in the loss to France as part of sweeping changes now looks a masterstroke, with Norway now not only meeting expectations at this World Cup but exceeding them.

Inevitably, it was Haaland who struck the late winner to see off Ivory Coast in the last 32 before delivering the same punishment to Brazil.

Next up for Norway and Haaland are England, where he was born during his father Alf-Inge’s decade-long playing spell there.

“I think we are changing the nation,” said Haaland. “I never dreamed of this. I mean it’s a bit surreal.”

His seven goals in just four matches place him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the top of the tournament’s scoring charts.

He said: “I peaked a couple of times in this tournament, but every now and then I get a new peak. If I get a chance or two, it usually turns into a goal. I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I am. It’s about being focused.”

The numbers are extraordinary: 62 goals in 54 caps, and a scoring streak that has seen him find the net in each of Norway’s last 14 competitive fixtures, striking 27 times during that run.

“Haaland is the world’s best goalscorer,” said Solbakken, in what is becoming a familiar refrain.

“He looked physically very fit today. I think it was difficult for the centre-backs for Brazil to keep him calm. How far we can go, I don’t know. We are among the last eight. I think we will see.”

Andreas Schjelderup, the half-time substitute who set up Haaland for both of his goals against Brazil, summed up the mood in the Norway camp when it comes to their prolific superstar.

“I am lost for words. We are all lost for words. We are all just happy that he is Norwegian and that he is playing for us,” said Benfica winger Schjelderup.

“The things he does every game to be able to score, it doesn’t matter you can just cross the ball or pass it in blindly and he will score. So we are so lucky to have him.”

Haaland may have scored the goals but it was Norway’s out-of-contract goalkeeper Orjan Nyland who laid the foundations, saving an early penalty from Bruno Guimaraes, before later thwarting Vinicius Jr, Endrick and a potential spectacular own goal from Kristoffer Ajer.

He did concede when Neymar netted a stoppage-time penalty, but Nyland said: “When you are able to save a penalty that early, (it is then) very hard to beat you. It was a great moment for myself but also for the team to give ourselves some breathing space.”

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the painful loss should be used as “fuel” for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is “the start of a new cycle”.

That new era will not feature Brazil’s record scorer Neymar, who retired from international football after the match.

“It’s inexplicable,” defender Marquinhos said. “We have to take responsibility for this so that future generations can build on it.”

Ancelotti, who was appointed just over a year ago and charged with the task of guiding Brazil to a record-extending sixth World Cup, added: “You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve.”

The Italian has a contract through to the next World Cup in 2030 and he quickly dismissed any suggestion that he would step down now.

“I don’t think this is the end,” the 67-year-old Italian insisted. “I think this is the start of a new cycle.” AFP, REUTERS