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Haaland's brace fuels Norway's World Cup dream
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Sports

Haaland's brace fuels Norway's World Cup dream

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Erling Haaland scored twice in Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq in their World Cup debut, fueling hopes for a successful tournament.
  • Haaland, who scored 16 goals in qualifying, is in top form, though the team showed defensive weaknesses.
  • The striker downplayed comparisons to other top forwards like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappรฉ, focusing on team performance.

Erling Haaland has ignited Norway's World Cup dreams, scoring a brace in their 4-1 opening match victory against Iraq. This marks Norway's return to the tournament after a 28-year absence, and Haaland's performance has fueled optimism for a fairytale run.

Everyone knows that this is great, everyone knows that it is a big moment for me and a big stage. It's fun, but there is a lot of pressure, so let's keep going.

โ€” Erling HaalandAfter scoring twice in Norway's World Cup debut victory against Iraq.

"Everyone knows that this is great, everyone knows that it is a big moment for me and a big stage. It's fun, but there is a lot of pressure, so let's keep going," Haaland stated after the match, issuing a warning to upcoming opponents Senegal and France. While the win was not entirely convincing, with defensive frailties exposed, the key takeaway is Haaland's continued stellar form, carrying his scoring prowess from the qualifiers into the tournament's biggest stage.

Today you saw me with the same energy as during the World Cup qualification. I am proud of us.

โ€” Erling HaalandReflecting on his performance and the team's energy in the opening match.

Haaland, who single-handedly propelled Norway to the World Cup with 16 goals in 8 qualifying matches, is widely regarded as one of the world's best strikers. However, he remains humble, deflecting praise. "I haven't scored the most goals this season. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappรฉ have scored more goals. That's the reality, it's not me," he clarified, ahead of Norway's clash with Mbappรฉ's France on June 26.

I haven't scored the most goals this season. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappรฉ have scored more goals. That's the reality, I am not him.

โ€” Erling HaalandDownplaying his status as the world's best striker.

Coach Stale Solbakken lauded Haaland as a player for big games, a sentiment echoed by football legend Zlatan Ibrahimoviฤ‡, who playfully suggested Haaland was climbing his "Kings of the Jungle" list. Despite the individual accolades, Haaland's focus remains on the team's success. Solbakken rewarded his squad with two days off, allowing them to rest and prepare for their next challenge.

I put some pressure on Haaland before the game. He handled it well. He is a player for big games.

โ€” Stale SolbakkenPraising Erling Haaland's performance and mentality.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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