DALLAS — Can Erling Haaland‘s scoring prowess propel Norway to World Cup triumph? Perhaps, especially with support from his teammates.
The Manchester City striker experienced a relatively quiet match as Stale Solbakken’s squad battled to a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in Dallas. However, when the stakes were high and they required a decisive goal, Haaland delivered, netting the winner just four minutes from the end.
Though Ivory Coast displayed superiority with more shots on goal, greater accuracy, and nearly twice as many touches in the opposition’s penalty area—48 to 25—success at this World Cup often hinges on having a top-notch goalscorer, and Norway possesses one of the best in Haaland.
Lionel Messi remains at the forefront of the tournament’s scoring leaderboard with six goals in three games, while Haaland follows closely with five in the same number of appearances. His latest goal on Tuesday extended his outstanding streak of scoring in every competitive match for Norway since October 2023, a remarkable tally of 25 goals in just 13 matches.
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Norway’s dependency on Haaland’s goals is so pronounced that they haven’t won a match without him scoring for nearly three years. The last time this occurred was in November 2023, during a 2-0 victory against the Faroe Islands, where Haaland came on as a second-half substitute.
Is Norway overly reliant on Haaland? Absolutely. Yet, they’re fortunate to have him in their lineup, with Solbakken crafting a team competent enough to compete against any opponent, effectively placing their faith in their star forward to capitalize on opportunities. This scenario mirrors that of Argentina with Messi and England featuring Harry Kane.
A clinical goalscorer can transform a good team into an exceptional one, and Norway stands on the brink of such transformation in this World Cup.
Indeed, they are often referred to as the “Haaland team,” but captain Martin Ødegaard adds creativity and flair to create opportunities for Haaland. Wingers Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb possess the skill to outmaneuver defenders and deliver precise crosses for their striker to finish.
Nusa demonstrated in this match that Norway has other scoring threats as well; his first-half goal was a spectacular right-footed curler into the top corner, showcasing his width and creating a cause for concern for Brazil ahead of their Round of 16 clash in New Jersey on Sunday.
The midfield grit provided by Sander Berge and Patrick Berg is another aspect that could exploit Brazil’s midfield vulnerabilities. Berg’s energy was evident when he broke through and assisted Haaland’s winning goal late in the match.
While Solbakken boasts quality within his squad, there’s no denying that Haaland is the game-changer. Without his presence, Norway would find themselves among the lesser teams, just along for the ride.
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Despite never having claimed a major tournament title—Tuesday’s win marked their first-ever knockout stage victory at a World Cup—Norway should aspire to go far in this tournament, as Haaland possesses the X-factor necessary for success.
Norway has historically performed well against Brazil, having never lost in their four encounters with the five-time world champions. If they eliminate Ancelotti’s squad, a potential quarterfinal clash with England would not intimidate Solbakken and his players.
While Ødegaard, Nusa, Berg, and the others provide substantial support, the spotlight remains on Haaland. If he stays healthy, Norway truly has a chance to go the distance; he’s the type of forward that instills fear in adversaries. Having proved his mettle in club football with City, he is currently showcasing his prowess on the World Cup stage, matching the likes of Messi, Kane, and Kylian Mbappé.
All of these players are confident in their ability to clinch the World Cup, each facing the expected pressures to achieve that milestone. Erling Haaland is no exception. He believes that his scoring talents can lead Norway to World Cup glory.