Norway coach Starre Solbakken mentioned after the 4-1 victory over Iraq that Erling Haaland proved that no stage is just too huge for him by scoring twice in his World Cup debut.
Haaland discovered the again of the online twice earlier than half-time as Norway marked their return to FIFA’s flagship competitors, which they final participated in in 1998, with a convincing victory.
The Manchester Metropolis striker was the primary participant to attain multiple aim in a World Cup match for Norway, and has now scored in every of his final 11 worldwide competitions.
Haaland has scored a minimum of one aim in 17 of his final 20 aggressive video games for Norway, has scored a number of targets in every of his final 5 video games and bagged an astonishing 16 targets in World Cup qualifiers.
Requested about Haaland’s affect after Tuesday’s win, Solbakken mentioned: “I do know he responded to the chance, however it wasn’t too huge for him.
“I felt good earlier than the sport, and the final observe was additionally superb. I had a sense he would do properly at the moment.”
Haaland is already joint with Kjetil Rekdal as Norway’s all-time main scorer on the World Cup, with Group I video games in opposition to Senegal and France developing.
Nevertheless, Haaland believes he should work more durable to show himself because the world’s preeminent striker after shedding out to Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Actual Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe at membership degree within the 2025-26 season.
Requested if he thought he was the most effective striker on the planet, Haaland advised reporters: “I believe I am at that degree, however statistically I do not assume I’ve scored essentially the most targets this season.”
“Kane and Mbappé have scored extra targets than me, however that is the fact.
“It is about conserving going and never considering an excessive amount of. It is troublesome at this stage. However I am centered on the subsequent recreation and naturally I am glad. However I will keep calm.”
11 – Erling Haaland has scored in his final 11 appearances for Norway, courting again to November 2024.
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Norway had by no means earlier than scored greater than three targets in 12 makes an attempt in a World Cup or Euro match, however with Haaland main the best way, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold is hoping for a robust efficiency from Norway on this match.
“He is only a nice quantity 9,” Arnold mentioned of Haaland. “We handled him very properly for many of the recreation, however on the finish of the day he’s a high striker.
“I simply advised him (full-time), ‘You are top-of-the-line No. 9s I’ve ever seen.'” He is so sturdy, so quick, simply lethal. Norway’s crew power could shock many. They may be capable of go a really good distance. ”
