Tearful Solbakken proud of Norway after World Cup odyssey ended by England

Norway's World Cup dream was extinguished in a heartbreaking 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarterfinals. Despite taking an early lead through Andreas Schjelderup, England's Jude Bellingham equalized before halftime and scored the winner early in extra time, ending Norway's campaign.

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We have been playing at the highest level, and the margins were not in our favour, but that's life, and now we need to breathe a bit.

Coach Stale Solbakken, visibly emotional, shed tears of pride after the match. He lauded his players for competing at the highest level, acknowledging the fine margins that decided the game. "We have been playing at the highest level, and the margins were not in our favour, but that's life," Solbakken said. He praised the team's performance throughout the tournament, highlighting their success in reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

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I really applaud the boys.

"I really applaud the boys," the 58-year-old coach stated. "We said that we would step up when we got to the World Cup from the fantastic qualifiers, and we've managed to do so." Solbakken expressed gratitude for the "fantastic support from all of Norway" and pride in having "lived up to the hype."

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We have had fantastic support from all of Norway, and we lived up to the hype, and that's what I'm really proud of.

Norway's run in the tournament ignited widespread football fever back home. Supplies of the national team's red shirt reportedly sold out as fans gathered in stadiums, streets, and squares to follow the team's progress. Solbakken reflected on the team's six-and-a-half-week journey, noting the engagement of the fans and players alike. While acknowledging a disallowed goal and a controversial moment before England's second goal, Solbakken chose not to dwell on excuses, wishing England well in the next stage.

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We just want to wish England the best of luck.