Haaland double fires Norway into World Cup quarter-finals
Erling Haaland's distinctive bobbing blonde hair is often one of the most noticeable sights on a football pitch. Typically, it is seen charging into open space at full speed, with defenders scrambling to catch up. On Sunday, that was less the case, but he still scored twice as Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The 25-year-old had only four touches inside the box during the last-16 match, but with one of those touches, he broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. His second goal, 11 minutes later—a low drive from outside the box—highlighted the clinical precision that makes him one of the most feared strikers in world football. This brace moved him level with France's Kylian Mbappe and Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings with seven goals.
"You don't see any other player doing that," former Scotland winger Pat Nevin remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live about the winning goal. "There was not a chance there. There wasn't a half chance, quarter chance. Nothing."
"People constantly talk about how many touches he has," said former England striker Ian Wright on ITV. "He didn't have to have a lot of touches."
Haaland's goals secured a historic victory for Norway over the South American giants. Competing at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, Stale Solbakken's team now stand just three wins away from an unlikely world title, with England or co-hosts Mexico awaiting in the next round.
With gamechanger Haaland in their ranks, Norway’s belief in their potential has grown significantly.
"He has given the whole country belief that they can go really far in this competition," said Wayne Rooney on BBC One.
Haaland's scary numbers for Norway
Erling Haaland averages a goal every 0.88 games for Norway. His international record includes a five-goal haul against Moldova and multiple hat-tricks.
"Haaland is a massive character, a personality," former England defender Gary Neville told ITV. "Sometimes it's said 'he's never done it on the world stage' and that's now been removed."
Indeed, Haaland has delivered on the biggest stage with seven goals in four games. The 25-year-old forward scored twice against both Iraq and Senegal in the group stage before being rested in a 4-1 defeat by France, when Norway made 10 changes.
This rest appeared to pay off, as his double against Brazil added to the late winner he scored against Ivory Coast in the last 32.
Haaland has scored 62 goals in 54 senior internationals, averaging a goal every 71 minutes. Remarkably, only six of those goals have come from penalties.
The Manchester City striker has now scored in each of his past 14 competitive appearances for Norway, netting 27 goals during that run. The last competitive match in which he did not score was in October 2024 against Austria in the Nations League.
Haaland 1-0 Gabriel on international stage
Before kick-off, much attention focused on Haaland's duel with Brazil and Arsenal centre-back Gabriel, a rivalry forged in the Premier League. Ultimately, Haaland had the final say.
Gabriel seemed to have the upper hand early on as Haaland was limited to just one touch inside the box before halftime. However, as the match progressed and space opened up, Haaland capitalized, and Brazil paid the price.
Haaland outjumped Gabriel to head Norway ahead, while Gabriel was a mere spectator for Haaland's second goal.
Throughout the game, Haaland had only 30 touches—the same as teammate Antonio Nusa, who was substituted at halftime—and completed just 13 passes. His expected goals (xG) of 0.39 indicated he was not dominant, but there was no doubt who was Norway’s hero.
Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Does he ever have many touches? Not really. This is how he plays and it is moments. Key moments when he turns up."
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock added: "I think he has averaged 14 touches a goal, which tells you everything about him.
"But what he does is he makes unselfish runs in behind, he pins defenders and allows that midfield area to get up."
Haaland himself believes he is reaching a "new peak."
"I peaked a couple of times in this tournament, but every now and then I get a new peak," he said. "If I have a chance or two, then very often I score. I'm not quite sure, but this is what I do.
"It's all about being focused and taking the chances I get. And I normally get them even if I don't score on the first one."
How 'remarkable' Haaland led Norway to win over Brazil
'One of the most insane days in Norwegian history'
Long before kick-off, thousands of Norway supporters gathered outside the stadium, many wearing Viking helmets, waving giant red flags, and singing songs that have become familiar throughout this World Cup.
There was excitement, naturally, but also a quiet confidence that this team could compete with anyone.
For years, Norway had watched major tournaments from afar despite producing world-class talent. This is only their fourth World Cup appearance—the first since 1998. Their previous best performances were two last-16 finishes, 50 years apart, in 1938 and 1998.
They had not won a World Cup knockout match until the previous Tuesday. Now they have won two consecutive knockout matches—the latest against the five-time champions and most-decorated side in the tournament.
"I said to the boys that I don't think it's 50-50, but we have a fair chance if we play at our best and have match-winners, and we had that," Norway boss Stale Solbakken said.
At full-time, Haaland led the celebrations, banging a drum as he and his teammates performed the iconic Viking Row with their supporters.
"This is just an insane day," said Haaland. "It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history."
Warnock said: "He is hugely emotional and rightly so. He plays in one of the best teams in world football, in terms of clubs.
"But when you play for Norway they're not a huge name. Norway are starting to make history for themselves, and he is at the forefront of that."
Solbakken said: "The whole nation is rowing together, and with that, I mean that we are having a great party here and in Oslo and in all the other big and small cities all the way through Norway.
"The rowing is in a way a symbol of that, and that we are all together. So I think it's great days, it's a great summer to be a fan - I think it's better to be a fan than a coach."
The rowing celebration has become a defining image of the World Cup. Wayne Rooney, who promised to row down the River Mersey if Norway reached the quarter-finals, now faces that challenge.
