Erling Haaland saved his best content for Snapchat after scoring a decisive double to eliminate Brazil from the World Cup. Norway’s talismanic striker posted clips overnight of what looked like a party on the team bus, deliriously staggering around the aisle and singing along to a summer tune by French DJ Kungs. The chorus: “We are never going home.”
Norway will eventually go home, perhaps as early as Saturday when they face England in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami. However, the country, the team, the supporters, and their superstar have been making the most of their time in the US. From the longboat rowing ceremony to accumulating cowboy gear (a T-shirt reading “Y’all can kiss my Dallas”), to Haaland’s performative pose – hands on hips, eyes raised to the horizon, bemused smile – they have loved every minute.
Norway’s Joyful Approach Contrasts with Tactical Seriousness
Coaches at this World Cup often create narratives about destiny. For the USA it is “why not US?”, for France it is team power, for England it is resolve in adversity. Norway stand out with their determination to keep smiling, and it is catching. That does not mean they are unserious on the pitch – quite the opposite, as Carlo Ancelotti’s disjointed Brazil discovered.
Norway’s data is middling in many areas: 20th for average possession, 14th for touches in the opposition box, 38th out of 48 teams for interceptions. Yet they rank fourth for big chances created and fifth in expected goals (xG). They are organised, focused, and play a clear style that exists almost purely to serve Haaland.
Solbakken’s Tactical Masterclass Against Brazil
Norway are managed by Ståle Solbakken, a Norwegian who understands the national identity and is a top-level coach with experience of confounding expectations in the Champions League at FC Copenhagen. Against Brazil, Solbakken excelled. His first-half selection contained Brazilian threats by dominating the ball. At half-time, he intensified the attack by switching both wingers for players “more comfortable playing in small areas”, replacing Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa with Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup.
The aim was to find new ways to utilise Haaland, taking more time to craft opportunities. The opening goal, a bullet header, came from Schjelderup’s excellent dribble and cross. Schjelderup had extra space because he held the ball long enough for David Møller Wolfe to make an underlapping run from left-back, creating the time and space for another big chance that Haaland seized, dominating Gabriel Magalhães in the process.
England’s Challenge in Miami Heat
Disrupting routes to Norway’s wide men will be a key focus for England in the quarter-final. Temperatures in Miami – almost certain to exceed 30°C (86°F) – will limit how much the match resembles a Premier League encounter. England know the Haaland threat and are familiar with much of the Norwegian team. They feel liberated after their Azteca achievement, but Norway play without fear, having already exceeded expectations, and will do so with a grin.
One final statistic reveals something telling: Norway rank third out of 48 teams for big chances missed. That reflects both their ability to create chances and Haaland’s mortality. He typically has a couple of sighters per match and, as seen in his recent club season with Manchester City, will miss easier chances than those he eventually takes. He is mortal but redoubtable. Regardless of the outcome, his attitude remains consistent and zen-like. Haaland will stay humble until the tournament’s last knockings, and just like after Sunday’s victory, he will be beating his own drum.
