“Incredible history”: Haaland hails late winner for Norway at 2026 World Cup

Erling Haaland hailed the “incredible history” for Norway after hitting a late winner on Tuesday to send his country into a World Cup last-16 showdown with Brazil.

The Manchester City predator had a quiet afternoon at the home of the Dallas Cowboys before powering home in the 86th minute for a thrilling 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

It was Norway’s first win in a World Cup knockout match and Haaland told broadcasters: “This is unbelievable.

«I can’t swear, but it’s unbelievable. This is history.»

It was Haaland’s fifth goal in three games in North America after being rested in the 4-1 loss to France in the group stage

His late winner means he has scored in each of his last thirteen competitive caps for Norway, scoring 25 goals in that run.

Norway will be underdogs against Brazil but captain Martin Odegaard said they always had a chance with Haaland up front.

“It’s great to have him in the team, we’re lucky to have him and it’s about giving him as many opportunities as possible,” he said.

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Stale Solbakken, the Norwegian coach, praised the 25-year-old Haaland as “the greatest goalscorer in the world”.

«There’s no doubt about that. Today he wasn’t involved that much. I think he had one big chance in the first half and now he’s scored the winning goal again.»

“It brings peace to the team when you have a player like him, who in my opinion is very underestimated when it comes to keeping the ball.

“Because you can see that he didn’t lose a ball today.

“To score five goals in three games at the World Cup, for a small country like Norway… I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.

«Because he is the greatest goalscorer in football today.»

Published on July 1, 2026