Defying logic - how Haaland could end up with 260 international goals

Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal as Norway secured a historic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, advancing to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. The win, celebrated with the team's signature Viking Row celebration, propels Norway into the last 16, matching their best-ever World Cup performance from 1998.

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Norway are a very good team, and purely because of that man. Because of his goals, he has proven that he belongs at this World Cup level.

Haaland's winning goal, a scuffed effort from Patrick Berg's pull-back, was his fifth of the tournament. While not his most aesthetically pleasing strike, it proved to be the most significant, securing Norway's passage where other European nations like Germany and the Netherlands faltered. The Manchester City striker has now scored in each of his last 13 competitive appearances for Norway, netting 25 goals in that impressive run.

Despite failing to qualify for major tournaments during his career until now, Haaland has thrived on the World Cup stage. He has delivered crucial goals, including braces against Iraq and Senegal, and a vital strike against Italy to help Norway qualify for their first major tournament since Euro 2000. His performances have drawn praise from football pundits, with former England captain Wayne Rooney noting Haaland's ability to "come up with the winning goal" and devastating impact.

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He is just devastating. He wasn't in the game much, but he came up with the winning goal.

Norway's journey in the tournament has been marked by Haaland's consistent goal-scoring, even when he hasn't been the dominant player on the pitch. He was rested against France but returned to score the winner against Ivory Coast. The team now faces a formidable challenge against Brazil in the next round, a match that promises to be a blockbuster encounter.

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I think Norway had the final bit of quality. The big man was always going to score the winner.