Now everything is a bonus: Haaland reflects on Norway's first FIFA WC knockout win
Arlington, July 1
After leading the way for the Norwegians to their first knockout victory in the FIFA World Cup, Erling Haaland was all smiles and said, 'Everything is a bonus", noting his side's first World Cup qualification in 28 years and moving past the group stage.
Haaland carried on his World Cup scoring streak with the late goal that secured a 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire and put his country into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.
"It's history, it feels unbelievable," said Haaland. "We managed to qualify for the first time in 28 years, we managed to go through the group stage and now we've managed to go through to the next round and meet Brazil in New York. It's incredible, so now everything is a bonus. Now we can play with our shoulders down and just enjoy it because I don't think we'll ever have this feeling again."
The Ivorians did well to keep the Norway danger man under wraps for much of the contest, but Haaland ended the resistance of a Cote d'Ivoire side who had fought back into the game through Amad Diallo's splendid second-half equaliser, ensuring it is Stale Solbakken's side who advance to a meeting with Brazil in New York/New Jersey on July 6.
For Norway coach Stale Solbakken, his team's ability to close things out made the difference on a day in which the margins were razor-thin.
"I think it was a very even game," the Norway coach told FIFA. "These are two good teams and it could have gone both ways, but we finished off the game strongly today and managed to come back after the 1-1. They had a good free kick towards the end and situations in which they could have scored.
"But all in all, I think maybe we were a little bit better than them, but praise for Côte d'Ivoire, who played a very good game. It's the first time for Norway that we've won in the knockout rounds, so we have to take that on board. Now we can rest a little bit and prepare for Brazil," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Haaland's humility is refreshing. 'Everything is a bonus' – that's the spirit of a true champion. Meanwhile, I'm just waiting for the day India qualifies for a World Cup again. 😅 All the best to Norway against Brazil, they'll need it.
True underdog story! Norway's qualification after 28 years shows what consistent development can do. I just wish our football federation had even half that vision. Amad Diallo's equaliser was brilliant too – Ivory Coast fought hard.
Haaland is a freak of nature. That late goal was pure class. Norway vs Brazil in New York is going to be electric. I'm not sure Norway can win, but they've already exceeded all expectations.
Wonderful achievement! But let's not pretend Norway dominated – Ivory Coast were unlucky not to win. Haaland is a game-changer, but one player can't carry a team forever. Still, history made, congrats to them.
As a football fan from India, this gives me hope. If a country like Norway can go from nowhere to beating big teams in a World Cup, why can't we? All it takes is vision and investment. Haaland's attitude is 💯
M Michael C