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- Erling Haaland says Norway’s World Cup run is “surreal” after their stunning win over Brazil
- The Man City striker has scored seven goals for Norway at the FIFA World Cup so far
- Haaland admits he could not have imagined beating Brazil as Norway reach the quarter-finals
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has reacted to Norway’s sensational run at the FIFA World Cup after his brace downed Brazil in the Round of 16.
Haaland has been the central figure in one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories, with the 25-year-old leading Norway deep into a FIFA World Cup that the country were absent from for 28 years before their return this summer in North America.
The Manchester City striker has scored seven goals across the group stage and knockout rounds combined, a tally that has placed him firmly in contention for the Golden Boot and cemented his status as one of the defining individual performers of the entire tournament regardless of what unfolds in the rounds ahead.
Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16 elevated the narrative to an entirely different level, with Haaland and his teammates defeating one of the world’s most celebrated footballing nations to book their place in the quarter-finals of a tournament that had felt beyond their reach for the better part of three decades.
Haaland: “I need to pinch myself sometimes because it’s big”
Speaking to official Manchester City media following Norway’s victory over Brazil, Haaland was visibly overcome by the magnitude of what he and his country had achieved.
“I didn’t dream of this in my life,” said Haaland. “I dreamt of playing in the World Cup with Norway but not to win against Brazil, let’s be honest. I thought it wasn’t possible to do some things but I guess I’m wrong.”
The 25-year-old went on to reflect on the personal dimension of a run that has taken on a significance beyond anything he could have anticipated when Norway were drawn into the tournament: “It’s a bit surreal in the moment in the World Cup, you want to be here and perform but to score seven goals for Norway in the World Cup is quite special.
“I don’t have words because it’s unreal. I need to pinch myself sometimes in the arm because it’s big. We’ve been growing over time and the way we played shows Norway is a fantastic football team and we’re actually one of the better teams in Europe and the world.
“What we’ve been doing is amazing. It took 28 years to be back at the World Cup, that’s some time. I’m 25 so you can’t blame me but you can blame me for coming here. I’m so proud of my country.”
What does Haaland’s World Cup form mean for Manchester City?
Seven goals in the space of four World Cup games represents a continuation of the extraordinary scoring feats that have defined Haaland’s time at the Etihad Stadium since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund – and his performances in North America have reinforced his standing as the most prolific striker of his generation at a moment when football’s global audience is at its largest.
For City boss Enzo Maresca, watching Haaland deliver at a World Cup provides the most compelling possible evidence of the attacking platform his new team will be built around next season, with the Norwegian’s confidence and sharpness in front of goal undimmed by the change in manager or the transition unfolding at the Etihad Stadium around him.
The later Norway progress in the tournament, the later Haaland will return for pre-season preparations under Maresca – a factor director of football Hugo Viana will have factored into the club’s pre-season planning given the striker’s centrality to everything Manchester City will seek to achieve in the 2026-27 campaign.
Whether Norway can sustain their extraordinary run into the latter stages of the tournament remains to be seen, but on the evidence of what Haaland and his teammates have delivered so far, the belief within that squad – captured so vividly in his own words – suggests a group whose ambitions extend considerably further than simply having beaten Brazil in the Round of 16.
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Source: Cityxtra.co.uk
