​Erling Haaland said Norway’s World Cup run has sparked a fresh generation of players, even after the disappointment of a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarter-finals on Saturday. In Miami, Haaland failed to find the net for the first time in 15 competitive outings for his country, as Jude Bellingham’s two goals propelled England into the last four. The Manchester City striker had been in devastating scoring form at this tournament, tallying seven goals across four games to lift Norway into the quarter-finals, their first appearance at a World Cup in 28 years. That march included knocking out Brazil in the last 16, with Haaland hitting twice to eliminate the five-time champions.
“How we put Norway on the map is perhaps the thing that touches me the most,” Haaland said. “Hopefully now we can establish something for Euros, World Cups, and everything, because our generation is extraordinary, and this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it’s possible to play on a big stage for a Norwegian shirt.” In recent weeks, Haaland’s status as a global superstar has surged, helped by a broad cast of new American fans drawn to his friendly persona off the pitch as well as his goal-scoring prowess. He hopes Norway can build on this momentum in the United States to become a powerhouse in the years ahead.
“It’s kind of hard to process this kind of rollercoaster we’ve been on for the last six weeks,” the 25-year-old said. “I think this changes Norway, and it changes me. I’ve said it many times: we’re building something in Norway. It’s about maintaining this because we’ve shown that it’s possible to be one of the biggest football nations in the world.”
Bellingham and Haaland spent two seasons together at Borussia Dortmund and remain close friends, with Haaland saying England were fortunate to have the Real Madrid midfielder in their ranks. “We had so much fun together, and I’m not surprised he scores two today and performs the way he does,” Haaland added. “I think he’s one of the best in the world, and he’s a midfielder who still scores goals, who still manages to dribble past every single player on the field. He’s incredible. England is lucky because everyone would want a Jude in their team.”
Despite the late scare Norway faced in the heat of Miami, Haaland was substituted at half-time of extra time after struggling to cope with the sweltering conditions. Norway coach Stale Solbakken admitted his only regret might be not taking him off earlier. “It wasn’t a tough decision to remove him because he was finished and maybe I should have taken him out before,” Solbakken said. “We used all his energy and power for game after game. He also picked up a dead leg in the second half, so the fatigue—combined with that—meant he did everything he could. He scored seven goals in five games for us. A fantastic World Cup.”
As Haaland and his teammates digest what the campaign has meant, they now set their sights on translating this breakthrough into sustained success for Norway on the world stage.