Erling Haaland tempered expectations for Norway’s upcoming round of 16 match against Brazil at the World Cup, indicating the Nordic team faces a difficult challenge with only a “very small probability” of advancing. His remarks came following Norway’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the last 32, which marked their first progression to the knockout stage in 28 years.
The Manchester City striker, who scored the decisive goal from close range to secure Norway’s win, acknowledged the heightened level of competition still to come. “We’ve advanced to the next round, where we’ll face even better teams. The matches won’t be easy, and advancing will be very difficult,” Haaland said. “I don’t know if we will succeed, but we are ready and will continue to be highly prepared.”
Norway’s next opponent, Brazil, has a historical edge in their World Cup encounters, although the two teams met only once before in 1998 when Norway staged a late comeback to win 2-1 in Marseille. The upcoming match rekindles both teams’ past rivalry and pits Haaland against Arsenal defender Gabriel, a fellow Norwegian squad opponent who has clashed with Haaland on multiple occasions. The two players notably received yellow cards during a Premier League match in April after a physical confrontation.
Haaland’s goal against Ivory Coast not only sealed Norway’s place in the round of 16 but also added to his rapidly growing list of achievements. He reached 60 international goals in just 53 matches, becoming the second-fastest player to hit that milestone behind West Germany’s Gerd Muller. Haaland is the first player in nearly 70 years to score in his first three World Cup games and holds Norway’s record for most World Cup goals, tied with five from the 1998 tournament. He is currently on an international scoring streak spanning 13 consecutive matches, totaling 25 goals during that period.
Despite the excitement around his performance, some fans reacted humorously to his latest goal, describing it as a simple “tap-in.” Haaland shared these comments on social media, demonstrating his lighthearted response to fan criticism.
Reflecting on Norway’s progress, Haaland expressed how significant reaching this stage is for the country. “This is madness, it’s been 28 years since we last reached the knockout stage,” he said. “This means a lot to Norway, and I think the cohesion we’ve created in football will change Norway. If I wasn’t competing here, I would still try my best to watch the game live... Even if I couldn’t watch it, I would still join the celebratory parade in the streets of Oslo.”
The Norwegian team now faces Brazil in what Haaland described as a crucial test, with hopes hinging on their preparation and resilience as they pursue an unexpected advance into the later stages of the tournament.