Erling Haaland's heroics spark viral memes after Norway eliminates Brazil
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Erling Haaland's performance led Norway to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after eliminating Brazil.
- Haaland's two decisive goals late in the match sparked a viral meme phenomenon comparing him to the 'Dragon Ball' character Majin Buu.
- The player acknowledged the comparison, fueling online interactions, while his sister's resemblance to him also generated buzz.
Erling Haaland propelled Norway into the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 5, 2026, after a stunning elimination of Brazil. The striker's decisive impact, particularly his two late goals, triggered a viral wave of memes and online discussions, cementing his status as a tournament standout.
One of the most talked-about online phenomena involved comparisons between Haaland and Majin Buu, a character from the animated series 'Dragon Ball.' The Norwegian forward himself acknowledged these comparisons on his Instagram account, reportedly stating he did not disagree with the resemblance. This response quickly garnered thousands of digital interactions, with fans celebrating the humorous exchange on various platforms.
The unexpected victory over Brazil, a pre-tournament favorite, generated a flurry of humorous images online. Social media users focused on Haaland's effectiveness in overturning Brazil's initial dominance, even after the South American team missed a penalty. The memes often ironized Brazil's downfall, highlighting Haaland's crucial role in securing Norway's advancement.
Adding to the online buzz, images of Haaland's sister, Gabrielle, went viral prior to the match due to their striking physical similarities. After the game, photos of the footballer greeting his family in the stands, including his sister, led to widespread jokes on platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok, with many users commenting on how much the siblings resemble twins.
I'm not disagreeing with the comparison.
Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.