‘The greatest goalscorer’: Praise for Erling Haaland after striker steers Norway into World Cup’s last 16
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Norway's Erling Haaland celebrating after scoring his team's second goal in their 2-1 World Cup last-32 win against Ivory Coast on June 30, 2026.
PHOTO: AFP
ARLINGTON – Erling Haaland was described as “devastating” and “the greatest goalscorer in the world” after pouncing for a dramatic late winner on June 30 for Norway at the World Cup.
The Manchester City predator had a quiet afternoon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before prodding home in the 86th minute for a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast. Antonio Nusa had opened the scoring in the first half but Amad Diallo equalised 16 minutes from time, before Haaland settled the tie.
It was Haaland’s fifth goal in three games in North America, having been rested for the 4-1 loss to France in the group phase.
Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, both with six, have more goals so far at the tournament.
Haaland led the Norway squad in a rendition of their now-famous Viking Row celebration on the pitch and told broadcasters: “This is unbelievable. I can’t swear, but it is unbelievable. This is history.”
Haaland’s goal gave Norway their first win in a World Cup knockout match and sent them into a last-16 showdown with Brazil.
He has netted in each of his last 13 competitive internationals, scoring 25 goals in that run.
Norway will be the underdogs against Brazil, but captain Martin Odegaard said with Haaland up front they always had a chance.
“It’s amazing to have him in the team. We’re lucky to have him and it’s just about giving him as many opportunities as possible,” he said.
Stale Solbakken, Norway’s coach, hailed the 25-year-old Haaland as “the greatest goalscorer in the world”.
“There’s no doubt about that. Today he wasn’t that much involved. I think he had one big chance in the first half and now he’s scored the winning goal again.
“It brings a calmness to the team when you have a player like him, who is in my way very underrated in terms of keeping the ball. Because you see he didn’t lose one ball today.
“To score five goals in the World Cup in three games, for a little country like Norway... I wouldn’t swop him for anyone. Because he’s the greatest goalscorer in the world of football today.”
Amad, who had equalised for the Ivory Coast in the second half before Haaland struck, said the powerful centre-forward needed no second chances.
“I would say that the second goal was too easy,” said the Manchester United winger.
“We gave one man too much freedom. When you leave a striker of his calibre all alone, it eventually catches up with you.”
Former England forward Wayne Rooney told the BBC that Haaland made the Norway side what they are, adding: “Norway are a very good team and purely because of that man.
“Because of his goals, he has proven that he belongs at this World Cup level. He is just devastating. He wasn’t in the game much, but he came up with the winning goal.”
Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae, meanwhile, said his side gave everything but “lacked maturity”.
“It’s tough to lose in the final minutes – they gave everything, they fought from the first to the last minute,” he said.
“Maybe we lacked a bit of maturity, especially after the equaliser,” added Fae, who took Ivory Coast to the first World Cup knockout match in their history. “Maybe at the end we should have tried to hold on and take it to extra time.” AFP
