With his quiet brilliance, incredible scoring ability and sly smile, Norway’s Erling Haaland has once again etched his name into history.
“Today is one of the craziest days in Norway’s history,” Haaland, perhaps the country’s greatest soccer player, said shortly after leading Norway to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
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The 25-year-old’s late brace knocked record five-time champions Brazil out of the tournament and propelled the team into the last eight for the first time in its history.
Haaland is widely believed to know how to carry Norway when it matters most, using his towering physique, broad shoulders and natural goal-scoring talent.
Haaland, who did not play for much of the afternoon and had limited touch on the ball, spoke to coach Starre Solbakken during the second-half water break and was told to deplete his energy and give it his all.
Solbakken’s hopes were under Haaland’s command, as he headed in the first goal of the match in the 79th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time.
He has scored 62 goals in 54 appearances, sitting squarely at the top of his country’s top scorer list with an impressive 1.15 goals per game. The long-haired forward is often referred to as the “Smiling Assassin” for his combination of deft finishing and cool demeanor.
Haaland’s scoring streak for Norway reached 27 goals in 14 games, and despite being named Man of the Match, the humble Haaland ceded credit for his team’s heroics to goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
“For me, he’s the man of the match even though he scored a goal. He saved a lot of goals that probably would have sent us home,” he told reporters after the win.
“He’s the reason we’re playing in the quarterfinals for the first time in our history. Hats off to him.”
In the shadow of Messi, Mbappe and Ronaldo
The Manchester City striker, who previously won the Golden Boot award alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi with seven goals each, has come from behind to join the footballing giants and lift his country on the biggest stage.
The pre-tournament headlines were dominated by what Messi could do, what Cristiano Ronaldo could do and what to expect from Mbappe.
Haaland’s biggest victory was getting Norway back into the World Cup for the first time in nearly 30 years, and the Viking hero stormed through the tournament with sheer power and superb skill to write his own story.
The 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) striker has risen to the upper echelons of the sport through humility, confidence and a single-minded attitude.
“I’ve hit several peaks during this tournament, and each time there’s a new one,” Haaland said after the win against Brazil.
“If I get one or two chances, I usually score. I don’t really know what I’m doing. This is how I am. It’s all about staying focused. When I get a chance, I know exactly what to do.”
“This night will be remembered forever.”
Even after Haaland’s side shocked Brazil and forced Neymar to retire from international football, the weight of this moment was not lost on Haaland.
Haaland said in the post-match interview, “Scoring the two goals against Brazil will be something I will always treasure, but those goals are not mine alone.”
“They belong to all the teammates who sacrificed everything, to all the coaches who believed in us, to all the supporters who supported us through difficult times and to all the children of Norway who believe that anything is possible now.
“This is a night that will be remembered forever in every Norwegian household. We not only beat Brazil, we gave this country a memory that will last for generations,” Haaland said after admitting to crying over the victory.
“No matter what happens next, no one can take away this emotion, these tears, this piece of history from us.”
While other players entered the World Cup with global recognition, Haaland became a social media sensation, known for his witty Snapchat Stories and Instagram content, breaking away from the traditional path to stardom to become a more relatable, jovial, almost goofy icon.
In true Haaland fashion, and as the meme correctly predicted, the Norwegian star posted a cheeky photo of himself emerging from the locker room with the jersey tied around his neck, racking up millions of likes within hours.
“Defenders hate playing against him.”
Asked whether Haaland’s strength and speed made him a dangerous player, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted it was actually a matter of timing.
“He doesn’t waste energy chasing every ball or struggling with defenders for 90 minutes. He studies them, waits and knows exactly when defenders lose concentration.”
“And within a second he was gone,” Ancelotti said in the post-match interview. “You can defend perfectly against him for 89 minutes, but football is about moments and[Haaland]is probably the best in the world at recognizing those moments.
“That’s why defenders hate playing against him. You think you’ve been controlling him all game and then all of a sudden he’s celebrating another goal.”
What’s next for the Vikings?
Haaland and his team will face Harry Kane’s side after England beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca to reach the quarter-finals.
Haaland will have another chance to shine for his country and rewrite history when Norway take on England on Saturday.
But for now, the moment is his.
“Everyone should just have fun,” he told his compatriots across the Atlantic, literally piloting the now famous Viking rowboat on the celebratory pitch.
“Today is just a crazy day. Like I said, today is one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it. Embrace it and enjoy the moment.”
