‘We put Norway on the map’, says Haaland after World Cup exit
Erling Haaland said Norway’s World Cup performances had inspired a new generation despite the disappointment of a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England after extra-time on Saturday.
Haaland failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country in Miami as Jude Bellingham’s double fired England into the last four.
The Manchester City striker had scored seven times in his four games at a major international tournament to carry Norway to the quarter-finals in their first World Cup for 28 years.
That run included eliminating Brazil in the last 16 as Haaland struck twice to knock out the five-time winners.
“How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most,” said Haaland.
“Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it’s possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt.”
Haaland’s brand as a global superstar has soared in recent weeks with waves of new American fans taking to his affable off-field personality as well as his goalscoring prowess.
He is hoping Norway can build on their success in the United States to become a powerhouse in the coming years.
“It’s kind of difficult to take in this kind of a show or rollercoaster that we’ve been in now for the last six weeks,” added the 25-year-old.
“I think this changes Norway, I think it changes me. I’ve said it many times, we’re building on something in Norway.
“It’s about maintaining this because again we’ve shown that it’s possible to be one of the biggest football nations in the world.”
Bellingham and Haaland spent two seasons together as teammates at Borussia Dortmund and remain close friends — he said England were lucky to have the Real Madrid midfielder.
“We had so much fun together and I’m not surprised that he scores two goals today and performs the way he does,” added Haaland.
“I think he’s one of the best in the world and he’s a midfielder. He still scores goals, he still manages to dribble every single player on the field.
“It’s just praise for Jude, I think he’s unbelievable. England is lucky because everybody would want a Jude in the team.”
Despite Norway needing a goal, Haaland was substituted at half-time in extra-time as he struggled to cope with the searing Miami heat.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken said his only regret was possibly not taking off his talisman sooner.
“It was not a tough decision to take him out because he was finished and maybe I should take him out before,” said Solbakken.
“We used all his energy and power for game after game. He also got a dead leg in the second half, so that combined with the fatigue — he did everything he could.
“He scored seven goals in five games for us. A fantastic World Cup.”
Bellingham double as ‘lucky’ England beat Norway to reach World Cup semi-finals
Jude Bellingham scored twice as England staged an extra-time escape act to defeat Norway 2-1 on Saturday and book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Bellingham’s 93rd-minute winner settled a nerve-jangling quarter-final played in sweltering conditions at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
But England, who will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday, rode their luck to keep their World Cup dream alive.
England’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel talks to his forward #20 Noni Madueke at the hydration break during the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 11, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said afterwards.
“The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance… we were very lucky today.”
Bellingham’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time came after a goal kick from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland struck an overhead television camera cable — an incident that should have led to a re-taken goal kick.
England also received another huge break when Torbjorn Heggem’s 55th-minute goal that put Norway 2-1 up was ruled out after a VAR review for a shove by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson.
England, looking increasingly weary in punishing temperatures that had reached 108 Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) on the heat index, retook the lead in the 93rd minute, when Nyland spilled substitute Morgan Rogers’ long-range shot and Bellingham drove in the rebound.
The match had been billed as a duel between England striker Harry Kane and Norway counterpart Erling Haaland, but the expected confrontation never materialised.
Haaland was substituted in extra-time as Norway — who had taken the lead on 36 minutes through Andreas Schjelderup’s rasping shot — chased an equaliser in vain.
England benefited from a let-off in the 44th minute, when Norway broke swiftly with Alexander Sorloth and Haaland bearing down on an isolated John Stones.
Sorloth though inexplicably chose to go it alone rather than pass to in-form Haaland in acres of space and the chance was gone.
Norway were made to pay in the first minute of first half stoppage time when Bellingham surged into the area and rifled home a low shot to crown the attack launched after Nyland’s goal-kick struck the overhead camera.
The win raises the prospect of a titanic World Cup showdown between England and arch-rivals Argentina.
‘Keep dreaming’
Defending champions Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City later Saturday as they aim to edge closer to completing their dream of back-to-back World Cups.
The South Americans cruised through the group stage but since entering the knockout rounds, frailties have crept in as they were pushed to breaking point by first World Cup debutants Cape Verde and then Egypt.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the group phase, has again been the talisman for the South Americans, his genius repeatedly getting his team out of tight spots.
But there is just a suggestion the Swiss, a well-organised unit marshalled by midfield general Granit Xhaka, could exploit any weariness and cause them problems at Arrowhead Stadium.
Xhaka, 33, for his part said his message to the Swiss supporters was simple.
“Regarding the fans, keep dreaming. I am a person who always dreams, and dreams can come true,” he said.
“Sometimes you need to do something new. You really need to push your limits if you want to beat Argentina. And I’m convinced my team is ready.”
