EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - It had to be him, and it had to be against Brazil. Erling Haaland rose over the Brazil defense to drive a cross from Andreas Schjelderup home and deliver Brazil's earliest exit since 1990, when they also fell out in the round of 16. The last time Norway were in the World Cup, which was 1998, they also defeated Brazil in the group stage, and now, fast forward, and a younger Haaland is sporting the flag and pushing Norway to new heights on the global stage, winning 2-1.
And even better, he was able to beat Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães to the ball to put his team ahead in the match. But that wouldn't be his final salvo as Haaland ripped one from outside the box and celebrated with tears in his eyes. It's the first World Cup for Haaland, and he has firmly staked his flag in the ground, joining Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot with his seventh goal of the tournament. Describing the performance of Haaland, Schjelderup summed up what we're all thinking at home, saying simply, "We're all lost for words."
The pressure that it takes to score when everyone is looking for you to is immense, but Haaland has risen to the challenge, taking the national team with him. Through World Cup qualifying to the tournament, the only way to stop Haaland has been by him not playing, as the Norwegian has only failed to score in one game, Norway's final group stage match against France, where Norway rotated the squad and he did not play.
But even he is exceeding his own high expectations for Norway.
"I dreamt 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 in saying that. So, again, I mean, I thought it was not possible to do some things, but I guess I'm wrong," Haaland said.
The emotion when Haaland takes the pitch for his country is clear, and along with members of the squad like Martin Ødegaard, they're setting new heights for what their nation can accomplish at the highest level, which is special and something that hasn't even set in yet.
"As a football player, you want to be in the World Cup, and you want to perform," Haaland said. "But, let's be honest, to score seven goals for Norway in the World Cup is quite, it's quite special. So, uh, it's, it's unreal, and I don't have words. It's difficult to put words to what I'm feeling, what I'm doing, you know? Because it's, it is unreal, and I need to pinch myself sometimes in the arm."
Carlo Ancelotti had a tough job trying to fit this Brazil team together, and while Neymar came into the match to a cheer from the Brazilian fans, it's a day that feels like the last stand for the Brazilian star as they try to find their way into a new era. There is talent among them who can lead Brazil there, but it needs time to get to the top level, and patience isn't something that is easy to have when one is as used to winning as the Selecao.
A first half that was tepid at best almost saw the Brazilian fans round into cheers when Matheus Cunha drew a penalty following a challenge from Kristoffer Ajer, but their hopes were quickly dashed. Bruno Guimarães stepped up to take a penalty that all would've thought had been going to Vinicius Junior, and in hindsight, maybe it should've. Guimarães had a perfect record from the penalty spot, but with a hop, skip, and a jump, it was gone as Ørjan Nyland went the right way to hold the game level.
A free agent after his contract with Sevilla is up, Nyland isn't wasting this moment to let teams know who to call. "Everyone knows who to call when they need someone, [to play goalkeeper] I think I showed that today," he said.
The first penalty is one of those moments where, as the captain, you'd like Vini Jr. to take control, but also, penalties take on a greater importance in these moments, which is why all statistics go out of the window when matches go into shootouts, as the pressure will consume you. Ancelotti also revealed after the game that Brazil's takers were set by the coaching staff.
It was just one of those days that have been all to common for Brazil, struggling against Europeans. Norway's press frustrated Brazil, but both sides were playing pinball as neither really knew what to do with possession. Norway needed to play Alexander Sørloth as a winger, which led to struggles while Brazil ceded possession in order to try and get on the counter. It was a style that wasn't Brazil-like, and it's also one that didn't work as the Brazil that we remember as one that will take the game to you and push for a win. They needed Norway to make mistakes, and even when the Norwegians did, Nyland was there to ensure that they didn't end in disaster.
Norway will now face the winner of Mexico and England in Miami on June 11 in the quarterfinals, but it's clear that this is a team that's here to stay, and coach Stale Solbakken pushed the right buttons. He took Solorth and Antonio Nusa out at half for Oscar Bobb, and Andreas Schjelderup, with Schjelderup delivering two assists. Neymar did score from the spot to end the match, but it's a goal that sends Brazil out with a whimper instead of a bang. Two countries whose national teams are moving in different directions, and it shows.
Having Haaland on a team is infectious, both in his own personality and in the faith that he provides his teammates that when he gets the ball, it will hit the back of the net. Like playing for Manchester City, Haaland didn't touch the ball much for Norway, but when he did, it was going on goal, and that's what his teammates expect.
"I think we are all just happy that he's Norwegian and that he's playing for us," Schjelderup said following the match. "The things he does every game to be able to score. It doesn't matter; you can just cross the ball or pass to him blindly, and he will score. So we are so lucky to have him, and we appreciate him very much. Hopefully, he will score some more goals in the next games."
Norway have officially announced itself, and now they're on house money as their story continues to be written. With the best number nine in the world, it's hard to say that this is a team of minnows making a deep run at the World Cup, but they've only made this competition four times in their history, so being in the quarterfinals is anything but expected. But now that they're here, their opposition will ned to watch out because Haaland is on a mission.
