Solbakken supports the Norwegian team spirit after the epic victory in Brazil

Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken paid tribute to his side after an energy-sapping, nerve-wracking 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday that sent the country into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, where they will face co-hosts Mexico or England.

The Norwegian rowing party has become ubiquitous at the tournament, but it had to navigate shark-infested waters against the Brazilians and survive a late penalty from Neymar deep in stoppage time that could have capsized them.

«This is a great group, they love to be together, they train well, they help each other and protect each other. We have a strong culture and we give the opportunity to let people be themselves and say what they want, and that’s a very important part of the whole thing, when things go well and when things don’t go so well,» Solbakken told reporters.

WALKING SELFLESSLY

Haaland scored both goals in a sensational 2-1 win that dumped the Brazilians out of the tournament, and the selfless performance of every player in red and the excellent goalkeeping of the out-of-contract Orjan Nyland set the stage for Norway’s biggest victory in football. When the job was done, the fans and team celebrated their rowing celebration, echoing the joyful scenes at home as tens of thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate.

“I think the whole nation is rowing together, and by that I mean we are having a great celebration here and in Oslo and in all the other big and small cities throughout Norway,” Solbakken said.

«Rowing is a symbol of that in a way, and that we’re 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,» he grinned.

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Surprisingly, it was Norway who dominated possession in the match, but Solbakken said it was always the plan for his side to try to retain the ball in the afternoon heat.

«We just wanted to have as much possession as possible. Not all of them are comfortable with us being able to have long periods with the ball; they have players who are good in their positions but maybe they don’t like to run after the ball,» he said.

Solbakken left the stage less than 10 minutes before England were due to kick off against Mexico and appeared uninterested in that outcome.

«I have no preference for who meets in the next match. If it’s Mexico, it’s Mexico, if it’s England, it’s England. I think we played at our best in many phases against a very good team, we had to be at our best,» he said.

“I said that yesterday if we’re going to win, and I think we were close to our best (today).”

Published on July 6, 2026